You are Enough

Music credit belongs to Ruelle - I Get To Love You.

Kathy and Her Dad

She Is, and Will Always be, my Princess

As Kathy’s father, she IS the most powerful and gentle rock in my life. She represented all things kind and caring in the eyes of everyone who met her. Kathy loved every kind of living soul, even spiders, frogs, and the people who mistreated her. Her love shined through her soft voice, her caring demeanor of always wanting to be of service, and her dreams of making this world a better place for everyone. As her “Papi,” her smile and angelic voice were the medicine to my soul when the world seemed broken. She is the sweetest thing in all of my life’s journey, and I will forever carry her in my heart. Her playful hugs, warm smiles, and deep conversations were the glue that made me whole. 

Kathy had a creative soul, and she used her love of music, art, poetry, and cooking to be of service to others. Everything she touched reflected the beauty that she was and still is in my heart and soul. Since the day Kathy was born, I have been overflowing with joy to have my very own little princess. As the years went by, my heart continued to overflow with pride and joy from seeing how Kathy’s true nature and abilities developed. I was always amazed at what a BEAUTIFUL young lady Kathy was becoming and the reinforcement of that from everyone who met her.

Kathy was strong-minded and cared deeply for her loved ones. Unfortunately, she held her struggles and pain to herself to protect the rest of the family from her suffering. Like a little giant, she was carrying the heavy weight of depression alone. When Kathy was born, I knew my sole purpose in life was to love and protect her, and now because of her, my purpose is to help others carry their loads. In life, she was my aspiration, and in death, she is my inspiration, and forever she is and will always be my princess.

A girl standing on a rocky beach, looking at the ocean with sunlight reflecting off the water, and a clear blue sky overhead. Overlaid text with a poem about love and stars, attributed to Michelle Boodoo.

I took this photo of my Kathy many years ago, on a morning I will never forget. It was early, and Kathy, her dad, and I went to the beach to walk and have breakfast. The world felt quiet and still, as if the shoreline belonged only to the three of us. After we ate, Kathy wandered to the water's edge, and I captured this moment. Her silhouette stood softly against the ocean, and I remember thinking how small she looked… yet how her love felt bigger than the sea in front of her. I still hold that image close. And sometimes, I wonder…if she hear me when I call her name. ❤️UKP!

Four Years Later 💔- April 2026

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Four Years Later 💔- April 2026 *

Four years ago today, we lost you to suicide… and for so long, my grief felt like it was breaking my heart from the inside out. Lately, it doesn’t hurt in the same way. The sharp pain has softened into something quieter… something that wonders. I find myself wondering about you all the time. I wonder what your voice would sound like today. I wonder what kind of bread you’d be baking in the kitchen. I wonder what you would look like…. would your hair be short or long? I wonder where life would have taken you. Would you be living in Spain or France… or traveling the world the way you always dreamed? I wonder if the red cardinals I see are little pieces of you, stopping by to say hello. I wonder if, somehow, you feel me thinking of you… the way I feel you in everything. There are so many things I wonder about you now. But more than anything, I wonder if you remember just how deeply you are loved. I love you with every heartbeat, Kathy. We all love you… more than words could ever describe. ♥️

Kathy’s Garden…Christmas 2025

Love transcends everything… if you truly believe, you begin to see it in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. I planted these flowers for Kathy as a Christmas gift in 2025, never imagining what they would become. Now, as they bloom, so many of their petals form delicate little hearts…like gentle reminders of a love that hasn’t faded. It feels as though she’s still here with us, quietly surrounding us with warmth. In every blossom, in every heart-shaped petal, her love continues to grow, reaching us in ways words never could. ♥️♥️♥️

Flowers from the Garden…3 years after

It’s been three years and a week since we lost Kathy. In her memory, I pick flowers for her every week. Ever since she was a little girl, I used to take lots of photos of her, capturing her beautiful smile. I still take pictures of her ... from her photo and the flowers I pick for her. Here are a few of those pictures of my Kathy and her flowers.

She continues to AMAZE and INSPIRE us every day! ❤️

Kathy was working towards her BA degree at Florida Atlantic University, and a few months ago, we reached out to them regarding the possibility of granting an honorary degree for her. After returning from a trip, we were deeply moved to receive Kathy's AA degree, a cherished gift commemorating her time at FAU. We were on a pilgrimage in Spain, walking to honor Kathy's 27th birthday, and we returned home to find a package from FAU awaiting us. Our hearts overflowed with joy as this degree was the most heartfelt birthday gift we could have imagined for Kathy. We are truly grateful to the folks at FAU for going beyond what words can express. We will forever treasure FAU's assistance in honoring Kathy and helping us create cherished memories of her. ❤️UKP!

A desk with a yellow flower in a glass vase, a Florida Atlantic University folder, and a large photograph of a smiling woman with brown hair. Text overlay says, "She continues to amaze us!"
A desk with a yellow flower in a glass vase, a Florida Atlantic University folder, and a large photograph of a smiling woman with brown hair. Text overlay says, "She continues to amaze us!"
A memorial setup with a large printed photo of a woman, a small vase with yellow flowers, and a framed certificate from Florida Atlantic University in the background. Text overlay reads, "She continues to inspire us!"
A memorial setup with a large printed photo of a woman, a small vase with yellow flowers, and a framed certificate from Florida Atlantic University in the background. Text overlay reads, "She continues to inspire us!"

Kathy’s 29th Birthday

It’s my Kathy’s 29th birthday. I thought about so many ways to celebrate her, but this year, her dad wanted to celebrate her in our local park... a place that holds so many memories of us. The park where we walked for hundreds of miles with her, talking about nothing and laughing about everything. The place we exercised, explored, went on nature walks, had picnics, and so much more. A place filled with memories… filled with HER. We just wanted to feel close to her, to remember her, to talk about her, and to imagine who she would be today. I think she’d be fluent in French and Spanish by now. I know we would’ve completed at least two Caminos de Santiago walks together. She’d probably be living somewhere in Europe, chasing her dreams in her own little pastry shop. And one thing I’m certain of… She would always love us. Always. I miss her in every moment, in every breath, in every part of my life. But loving her will never stop... it only grows deeper with time. Happy birthday, my beautiful Kathy. You live in every corner of my heart… forever and always. 🤍

Kathy’s 28th Birthday

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” Happy 28th Birthday my beautiful Kathy. 💔♥️🎂

Kathy’s 27th Birthday

Collage featuring a man outdoors holding a yellow object and an orange walking stick, a birthday celebration with a glass topped by an orange and gold number "27" candle, and a woman with dark hair smiling with her hands clasped together in front of her face. Caption reads "Kathy's 27 Birthday Candles."

This year, on Kathy's birthday, we started walking across the Pyrenees from the South of France into Spain to honor and celebrate her. Our original plan was to have a birthday picnic somewhere in the mountains, but the weather had other plans, as the rain continued throughout the day.

Before our hike began, we had prepared candles, a cupcake, and a handful of other treats for the birthday picnic, but we had to cancel because of the rain.

As the evening came, we went to dinner and found ourselves gathered around a communal dinner table at our accommodations. Our host prepared a three-course meal for the guests, and he even accommodated my vegan needs with a salad and an orange for dessert. As the meal came to an end, the host invited each of us to share our reasons for going on this pilgrimage.

One by one, stories were shared, each filled with personal significance and heartfelt emotion. When we stood up and shared that our walk was to honor Kathy and that today marked her 27th birthday, a quietness fell over the room. We shared that we intended to have a birthday picnic on the Pyrenees. I describe how we wanted to be in the mountains, as close as possible to the heavens, to wish Kathy a happy birthday. I then opened my bag, took out the candles that were still tucked away, and stuck them in my orange. The host approached and lit the candles, and the room sang Happy Birthday for Kathy. It was an emotional and unforgettable moment, with people from around the world joining in to celebrate her special day with us.

The following day, we continued our hike along the mountain trails. At one of the highest points, we shared the orange while reminiscing about Kathy. We left some of the orange on the mountain for her and were blessed to have created beautiful memories of Kathy's 27th birthday.

A Story About a Special Orange

Chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting, decorated with red number candles '2' and '6', and surrounded by colorful candy gummies.
Close-up of a woman with long wavy brown hair, smiling, her face partially covered by a gray, chunky knit hat. In the background, there is a vibrant pink bougainvillea flower in a clear glass vase and a partial view of a person in a blue blazer.
Close-up of a yarn ball and a knitting loom, placed on the dashboard of a car with a highway and blue sky with clouds visible through the windshield.
Artificial floral arrangement with blue hydrangeas, yellow ranunculus, white lilies, and small white accent flowers in a gold vase on a marble wall background.

Kathy’s 26th Birthday

We celebrated Kathy for her 26th birthday with a cookies and cream cupcake surrounded by some of her favorite candies on behalf of her brother. Santiago made her a beautiful bouquet with her favorite flowers and colors, and I knitted her a hat...when I finished knitting the hat, I placed it on one of her pictures.

Two Christmas ago, I knitted a blanket as a gift for her, and she said it felt like a warm hug, and she would wrap herself in it at night. She loved the blanket, and it’s with her…still wrapping her like a warm hug. I know she cannot use the hat…but I hope she somehow knows it’s her birthday present and loves it as much as her blanket.

Suicide Prevention is Everyday

As we come together to share our stories of loved ones we lost to suicide, we do so in the hopes of helping others through their darkest moments. The first part of this video is of Kathy’s dad walking in the Pyrenees to honor Kathy’s 27th birthday in 2024 and the second part is one of his life’s greatest moments in 2019 … their father-daughter dance. 💔

A smiling young woman with short dark hair holding a baby goat on a farm, with a barn and hills in the background.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

by Mary Frye

Flowers from the Garden…1 year after.

  • A card with the word LOVE and the phrase "True love stories never have endings." Behind the card, there is a large framed photo of a smiling woman with dark brown hair. A small jar with purple flowers is placed in front of the photo.

  • A handwritten note on a light-colored paper with black ink, recounting memories of a loved one named Kathy and sharing about taking photos of flowers from her garden.

  • A birthday card with a portrait of a young woman, a gray knit blanket draped over the top, and a bouquet of yellow flowers in a glass pitcher, with the text "Happy Birthday KP!" written in gold at the bottom.

  • Two side-by-side photos of a woman with short, dark brown hair, smiling. The top photo has a purple flower in a glass vase and a background with a framed photo of a man in a suit. The bottom photo has a white flower in a glass vase with the words "Love Her" written above. Both photos feature the same woman smiling.

  • A collage featuring a large portrait of a woman with dark hair, two small vases with pink and purple flowers, and a film strip with two photos of flower arrangements, set against a light blue background. Handwritten text reading "Love U KP" with a pink heart.

  • A framed photo of a woman with dark wavy hair, a vase with pink and purple flowers, and a small painted object on a shelf with the words "Forever Grateful" written on the wall.

  • A vase with yellow flowers next to a large photograph of a woman with wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing a chunky gray hat.

  • A collage with three images of flowers in glass vases on a table, and a woman taking a selfie behind the flowers, with the caption "Flowers from the Garden".

  • A collage featuring two photographs of a woman with dark hair. The top photo has a white lily in a glass vase, and the bottom photo has bright pink bougainvillea. The word "love" is written in black cursive script, and a quote on torn paper reads, "True love stories never have endings."

  • Two portraits of a woman with wavy brown hair, with decorative flowers and hearts surrounding the photos.

  • Collage of three photos of a woman with brown hair, smiling, placed around a houseplant in a glass vase and a heart-shaped stone. Text in red reads 'Flowers from around the house'.

  • A collage of four photos of a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, with colorful flowers in vases around her. The collage has a black banner with white cursive text that says, "You're my heaven on earth."

  • A collage of four Polaroid-style photos on a gray background with shadows. Each photo features a woman smiling, with a vase of colorful flowers including yellow sunflowers and purple blooms. Handwritten captions read "missing you" with a red heart and "taking some to her".

  • A collage of three photographs and a quote. The top right photo shows a woman with dark hair and a smile next to a houseplant with a pink note. The bottom left photo features the same woman with flowers and a gray knit hat, with a small photo of a person in the background. The bottom right contains the quote, "True love stories never have endings".

  • A collage featuring three photos of a young woman with dark wavy hair smiling, each framed with a purple flower bouquet in a clear glass vase. The collage background has faint leaf illustrations and grid patterns, with the handwritten message "Love U Always KP".

  • Decorative photo display with three printed photos hanging on a string with clothespins, showing a woman with a pink flower in a vase, with the words "love you always" written above on a gray background with green leaves in the corners.

  • Collage of five photos featuring flowers in glass vases, a woman's portrait, and a fabric with a faith quote. The flowers include pink and purple blooms. The woman's portrait shows her smiling with short brown hair. The fabric has the word "faith" with a small flower illustration.

  • Collage of three photos of a woman with flowers and a note that says, 'love, true love stories never have endings.'

Poems Written by Kathy

A poem titled 'Home' by Kathy Perez, printed on a textured wall with shadows and a stylized black and gray chair illustration on the lower left.
A poem titled 'Flowers' by Kathy Perez printed on a dark background with a pink flower illustration at the bottom right corner.

Five Year Old Kathy and Me

Quote Source: Michelle

“Kathy was my stepdaughter, and I was her Mimi. I met Kathy when she was five years old. It was an evening in July 2002, and I vividly remember Kathy running out of her bedroom and planting herself next to me on the sofa. That was the first time I met Kathy, and I remember everything about her that night, especially her soft voice, her laughter, and her tiny fingers holding my hand. All I knew was that this little girl stole my heart at those very moments, and I would never get it back. Kathy grew up to be a beautiful 25-year-old young lady with the kindest heart and the purest soul; she was the sunshine in our lives and a reflection of everything beautiful. Kathy was perfect in every way. Even though she is gone, she continues to live in every corner of my heart ... she will forever be with me, and I will forever be her Mimi. LOVEUKP… always.”

Two women smiling outdoors near a body of water with mountains in the background, one wearing sunglasses and the other with short hair.

Quote Source: Emily

“Although we weren’t blood cousins, Kathy always made me feel like we were. Kathy is my cousin. I refuse to refer to her in the past tense. Kathy’s luminous energy and the love she showed me remain alive in my memories like a motion picture. In true cinematographic spirit, frame-by-frame, her empathetic and considerate demeanor perpetuates the very essence of what it means to have a loved one. Kathy will be loved and dearly missed — as is the mortal consequence of experiencing the bittersweetness of loss and nostalgia.”

A woman dressed in traditional Indian attire, wearing a blue and gold sari, adorned with jewelry and flowers in her hair, standing outdoors near a tree and a fence.

Quote Source: Nina

“On Oct 31, 2015, I spent a beautiful day with Kathy and her family at Gibb’s Gardens. We spent the day walking, talking, and enjoying nature and each other’s company. On the way out, we stopped in the little market on-premises and got giant chocolate chip cookies and drinks. KP was like a little girl filled with joy with her treats. One of many times I shared with her, but for some reason, this one is in my heart. Miss you and love you, sweet angel.”

A woman with dark wavy hair, wearing a cream-colored long-sleeve top with a gold belt, a pearl bracelet, and gold jewelry, sitting and smiling in a room with blue walls and framed pictures.

Quote Source: Nessa

“Some people bring light into the world that lights up a room. Kathy’s light was like the sun, abundant, undeniable, and powerful in nature. Her light possessed the ability to illuminate the world. Her light was sustaining. When the sun takes rest, there is always the hope of a new day and the light, hope, and joy it will bring. Kathy has left love and light in all who were blessed to know and love her.”

Two women smiling and wearing festive costumes, one with a leopard-print hat and the other with pink feathered costume.

Quote Source: Itzi

“Kathy’s smile was just one of her most beautiful attributes, but her kindness and love were another. I will never forget the day that both our families vacationed together in Colorado. We all went skiing one day. We were all so excited for her and her cousins to ski together. Nothing could stop the excitement, but then Kathy found a glove on the ground. Kathy was so kind and loving that she stopped and said, “no, I need to return the glove to lost and found; someone might be looking for it.” I remember thinking, who cares about a single old glove? And for a minute, I thought, how many of us would take that extra time out of our vacation for a glove? That was just one example of her kind heart and her loving spirit. On another vacation, I remember her playing with a ladybug and wanting it to be set free. Kathy didn’t want anything captured, she always wanted things to be free, and now like the wings she wore on the 5k color run, she is free herself. Her spirit and her smile remain embedded in my soul forever.”

Group of five smiling women celebrating with colorful powder and bright sunglasses, outdoors during daytime.

Quote Source: Bridgette

“I've known Kathy as one of my best friends. I always introduced her as my cousin, as we may not be related by blood directly; we were always a family. She was a kind and special person in my life, and as it pains me that she will not be in the future, I know she is in a better place. I wish her the best and miss her so much. Heaven got a wonderful angel of a person. Love, Bridgette, I will forever miss you.”

A woman standing indoors, holding a sign that says "Last 1st Day of Law School." She is wearing a white top, a blue and white striped skirt, and high heels. Behind her are framed artwork, and to her right are a small black table with pink objects and a black speaker, with a beige wall in the background.

She was the SUNSHINE of our LIVES and a REFLECTION of everything BEAUTIFUL

— Everyone who knew her.