Comments & Stories

Before this was created, the big area in the center contained our above ground swimming pool where Nicole and Ryan swam for 16 years.  As they grew older, the pool was used less often, and we decided to dismantle it and remove it completely.  But what to put in its place? We all discussed several ideas,  but hadn’t come to a final decision of exactly what to do with this empty space.

Then the unthinkable happened that fall, we lost Nicole.  The most tragic thing that could happen to a parent.  As the springtime rolled around, we knew instantly what we wanted to do with the big hole in our yard, and we set out to design Nicole’s Memory Garden.   In the center we placed a lovely water fountain, which is the focal point of the garden.  Nicole loved the beach, so we chose a seashell themed fountain which we thought would be perfect.    Surrounding it are a variety of pink flowers, Nicole’s favorite color, which brings life and beauty to the entire space.  Her family and friends all took part in its creation, and gathered at our home to each make a heart-shaped stepping stone, which is now the pathway to enter her garden.

Every spring and summer we enjoy planting, working in the garden and watching the flowers grow!  The garden, which can be viewed from our back deck, gives us yet another way to feel connected to our Nicole!  The running fountain is heart warming.  You are welcome to stop by anytime to meander through it, as we love sharing it with those that loved Nicole.

“I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, from which I’ll never part. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart…” author unknown

I remember when Nicole came ready to cheer at a basketball game, as my captain, and as we were warming up I looked up at Nicole in the air and noticed she forgot to wear her ‘spankies’. I said, “Nicole, did you forget something?” She commented, “Yep, but it’s all good. No one will notice, Coach.” I replied, “Nicole, you’re our flyer”. She replies back, “Oh, right. I better go call my mom!” This was a running joke between her and I that whole year. After every line she would say, “Coach, it’s all good!” Such a fun, loving girl.

Nicole & I met in Journalism my sophomore year of high school.  I entered the class with a few close friends but little did I know I was going to also make 3 more best friends that would remain with me forever.  Marissa Lohm, Alicia Morris & Nicole Chauvet would become 3 of my best friends.  The first few weeks of journalism everyone already had their own groups of close friends in the class.  Nicole, Alicia & Marissa always seemed like they had something to smile or laugh about.  One day I decided I was going to join in on the fun.  Nicole was studying for Mr. O’s infamous “countries & capitals of the world” test. I asked if she needed me to quiz her & she gladly accepted my offer.  We really didn’t get much done.  We were too busy talking about our love for the Pittsburgh Penguins, friday night football and her love for Penn State.  As the days went on I started to bond with Alicia & Marissa as well.  We all became close through interests & many inside jokes.  Nicole & Marissa would jam to my ipod so much that I always made them their own playlist!  While Nicole was cheering on the big macs, Marissa & Alicia drove me to a big macs game @ baldwin.  It was one of the best road trips of my life!  Jamming out to “Girlfriend” by Avril!  Spring time soon rolled around & my girls were about to schedule classes for their senior year.  They had all planned to take Journalism 3.  The 3 wanted me to also take Journalism again even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the work required for the class.  But something in me forced me to take the class again just to make more memories with these 3.  Their senior year was filled with lotsa excitement!  Tailgating & cheering @ fball games together.  I remember when Nicole called me out during the “HEY DANA HOW DO YOU FEEL?” cheer. I loved it!  They made me feel like I was part of the group.  I had a strong, beautiful relationship with all 3 of the girls.  They applied & got accepted to college & I was there with Marissa when she got her acceptance letter to WVU.  I screamed for Nicole when finding out she was attending PSU Toona.  So happy for all of them.  But then it sunk in.  I would soon be saying goodbye to my 3 favorite seniors.  Perhaps 3 of my favorite people I had spent time with in high school.  When the end of the year came, I was sad.  We had an incredible bond but I wasn’t sure if they would remember me after saying by to CMHS.  I made each of them a CD of songs that reminded me of all of them.  The last day for seniors they each walked in jclass & just looked at me.  At the end of class I had handed them each a CD with a personalized letter saying how much they each meant to me.  After reading the letters & songs on the cds, they had all began to cry.  I was now realizing I was saying goodbye to three of my best friends.  My seniors were leaving me.  Summer came & went and I was about to embark on my senior year.  My senior year I had decided not to take journalism 3 because I just thought it wouldn’t be the same without my favs.  Then after a few days, I decided to join the class again.  I had taken over Senior Profiles & Horoscopes, which used to be taken care of by Nicole & Marissa.  If that wasn’t fate I don’t know what is.  Weeks went by & it was already homecoming time @ CM.  I had been nominated on Homecoming court.  Many of our hc court had also been friends with my 3 favs.  Nicole, Alicia & Marissa promised me they would be back to visit me on homecoming.  The day I was nominated I had received a text from Nicole saying Congrats!  Word had traveled so fast!  Nicole didn’t even go to CMHS anymore and she already knew and congratulated me! Marissa had called me that night saying congrats and asking if she could do my make up for the dance.  Of course I said yes!  October 10, 2008 came quickly.  I had arrived to the parade & got ready. The first 3 familiar faces I see are my girls…Marissa, Nicole & Alicia.  They stayed with me and talked to me after the parade and took many many pictures with me.  After the announcement of king & queen they had all congratulated me with tears of happiness & said goodbye.  With the exception of Marissa, that was the last time I had seen Nicole or Alicia.  Little did I know Nicole & I had spent our last memory together that night.  When I heard the terrible news about Nicole, my heart had dropped.  I called my best friend Ally in tears.  I had never lost a friend before.  I had no words to explain how I was feeling.  Though I wasn’t with Nicole at every party, every birthday or every big mac football game, she was still one of my best friends.  I didn’t talk to people for days I just didn’t know what to say.  Nicole’s life was taken before it really even got a chance to start.  I was not able to attend her funeral services or burial but I’m not so sure I could even handle it.  Nicole, you know I am always with you.  And I know you are always with me.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.  I only knew you for 2 years but you girls gave me many many memorable memories that will remain in my heart forever.  Every time I think of high school, you are always the first thing to cross my mind.  Nicole, know that I am always with you.  You have touched so many peoples lives.  Don’t stop shining & looking over myself, your beautiful family & friends.  I will never forget you.  The Jcrew will live on forever.  Rest in Peace beautiful angel.

Nicole was my suite-mate during our freshmen year of college. We weren’t really close or anything but she was always incredibly sweet and helpful to me and my roommate. One memory of her from the last couple weeks of freshmen year that still sticks out to me was when I heard Nicole in hysterics from the next room. I went over to see what was so funny and she was watching this Youtube video of an adorable little girl reading this cat book in funny voices. Nicole found it so hilarious and played it again & again – and I couldn’t help but smile. Her laugh was incredibly contagious; it’s impossible forget! Rest in Peace, girl <3

Nicole & I met in Journalism my sophomore year of high school. I entered the class with a few close friends but little did I know I was going to also make 3 more best friends that would remain with me forever. Marissa Lohm, Alicia Morris & Nicole Chauvet would become 3 of my best friends. The first few weeks of journalism everyone already had their own groups of close friends in the class. Nicole, Alicia & Marissa always seemed like they had something to smile or laugh about. One day I decided I was going to join in on the fun. Nicole was studying for Mr. O’s infamous “countries & capitals of the world” test. I asked if she needed me to quiz her & she gladly accepted my offer. We really didn’t get much done. We were too busy talking about our love for the Pittsburgh Penguins, friday night football and her love for Penn State. As the days went on I started to bond with Alicia & Marissa as well. We all became close through interests & many inside jokes. Nicole & Marissa would jam to my ipod so much that I always made them their own playlist! While Nicole was cheering on the big macs, Marissa & Alicia drove me to a big macs game @ baldwin. It was one of the best road trips of my life! Jamming out to “Girlfriend” by Avril! Spring time soon rolled around & my girls were about to schedule classes for their senior year. They had all planned to take Journalism 3. The 3 wanted me to also take Journalism again even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the work required for the class. But something in me forced me to take the class again just to make more memories with these 3. Their senior year was filled with lotsa excitement! Tailgating & cheering @ fball games together. I remember when Nicole called me out during the “HEY DANA HOW DO YOU FEEL?” cheer. I loved it! They made me feel like I was part of the group. I had a strong, beautiful relationship with all 3 of the girls. They applied & got accepted to college & I was there with Marissa when she got her acceptance letter to WVU. I screamed for Nicole when finding out she was attending PSU Toona. So happy for all of them. But then it sunk in. I would soon be saying goodbye to my 3 favorite seniors. Perhaps 3 of my favorite people I had spent time with in high school. When the end of the year came, I was sad. We had an incredible bond but I wasn’t sure if they would remember me after saying by to CMHS. I made each of them a CD of songs that reminded me of all of them. The last day for seniors they each walked in jclass & just looked at me. At the end of class I had handed them each a CD with a personalized letter saying how much they each meant to me. After reading the letters & songs on the cds, they had all began to cry. I was now realizing I was saying goodbye to three of my best friends. My seniors were leaving me. Summer came & went and I was about to embark on my senior year. My senior year I had decided not to take journalism 3 because I just thought it wouldn’t be the same without my favs. Then after a few days, I decided to join the class again. I had taken over Senior Profiles & Horoscopes, which used to be taken care of by Nicole & Marissa. If that wasn’t fate I don’t know what is. Weeks went by & it was already homecoming time @ CM. I had been nominated on Homecoming court. Many of our hc court had also been friends with my 3 favs. Nicole, Alicia & Marissa promised me they would be back to visit me on homecoming. The day I was nominated I had received a text from Nicole saying Congrats! Word had traveled so fast! Nicole didn’t even go to CMHS anymore and she already knew and congratulated me! Marissa had called me that night saying congrats and asking if she could do my make up for the dance. Of course I said yes! October 10, 2008 came quickly. I had arrived to the parade & got ready. The first 3 familiar faces I see are my girls…Marissa, Nicole & Alicia. They stayed with me and talked to me after the parade and took many many pictures with me. After the announcement of king & queen they had all congratulated me with tears of happiness & said goodbye. With the exception of Marissa, that was the last time I had seen Nicole or Alicia. Little did I know Nicole & I had spent our last memory together that night. When I heard the terrible news about Nicole, my heart had dropped. I called my best friend Ally in tears. I had never lost a friend before. I had no words to explain how I was feeling. Though I wasn’t with Nicole at every party, every birthday or every big mac football game, she was still one of my best friends. I didn’t talk to people for days I just didn’t know what to say. Nicole’s life was taken before it really even got a chance to start. I was not able to attend her funeral services or burial but I’m not so sure I could even handle it. Nicole, you know I am always with you. And I know you are always with me. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. I only knew you for 2 years but you girls gave me many many memorable memories that will remain in my heart forever. Every time I think of high school, you are always the first thing to cross my mind. Nicole, know that I am always with you. You have touched so many peoples lives. Don’t stop shining & looking over myself, your beautiful family & friends. I will never forget you. The Jcrew will live on forever. Rest in Peace beautiful angel.

I met Nicole when she was just 4 years old and watched her grow up to be a beautiful young lady. I feel so lucky and blessed to have known her. Her and Ryan are so special to me and we had many good times together. I will always remember the Easter dinners at Aunt Vera’s house. We had an Easter egg hunt for them. If it was nice we had it outside. Uncle Wolly always hid at least one egg on the roof, lol We always lost at least one egg every year. We had fun hiding the ones in the basement too. I always hid mine under the cushions on the chair. There are so many special times I spent with this wonderful family I will forever cherish in my heart. Nicole,I miss you and I can’t believe you are gone. I would do anything to have you back with us. I know we will see you again.

My husband and I were visiting our very good friends in Colorado and we were sitting around their living room talking about the scholarship we wanted to start in Nicole’s memory. Their son, Jason, who is 10 years old, overheard our conversation. He went upstairs to his bedroom and came down with $5.00 worth of quarters from his piggy bank and said “Here Lisa, I want to donate this to Nicole’s Scholarship”. I instantly began to cry and gave him the biggest hug ever and said thank you. It is memories like this that keep you going, if that is at all possible. I tear up every single time that I think of this story and this 10 year old boy’s kind gesture.

When Nicole was in 11th grade, she had to bring something in for French Class for show and tell. The entire presentation had to be delivered in French. Her first choice was to take her “blanky” that she had since birth and went everywhere with her, even to college. You can only imagine what it looked like after all those years. I talked her out of it and she ended up taking her second love, Calliope, her cat. When cleaning out a desk drawer in our gameroom, we came across the rough draft that she wrote for her blanket, which we never saw since I talked her into taking her cat. It is as follows:

“My Blanket is my most prized possession. I sleep with it every night. I take it on vacations and to sleepovers. I’ve had it since I was a baby. Her name is blanky. If I lose it, I make everyone look for it or I can’t fall asleep. My friends and family laugh at me for it. One time my friend, “Norma” hid it, then I got mad at her.”

Nicole Leann Chauvet
This was a girl with such a big heart,
She’s always been a kid from birth, where we start.
You’d never catch her without a smile on her face,
When you saw this beautiful thing you were put in a better place.

When you’d hear her voice and what she had to say
You would then realize this girl is beautiful, beautiful in every way.
She meant so much to us all,
Because when you were with her she made sure you had a ball.

Her spirit was always high, never down.
She got this from cheering, where she always flew around.
There are many alike in this world, except one
The Angel Nicole Chauvet, she was second to none.

People thought she was weird in things she would do,
But what was weird was the way Nicole treated you.
Never started anything or mean to anyone
Nicole was truly a girl who just wanted to have fun.

She was loved by so many, which isn’t very odd
She touched many, obviously even God.

She’s going to be so hard to live without.
But knowing Nicole she’d never want any of us to pout.

She can never be forgotten by friends with whom she was apart
She’ll never leave my memories, she’ll never leave my heart.

Her parents couldn’t have raised a better kid
They’re the ones who knew exactly how Nicole lived.

Our hearts ache in loss of one we all love
One thing is true, she will be watching us from above.

November 1, 2009 we will never forget
We love Nicole, this is not hard to admit.

Words cannot describe you, so here’s the last thing I’ll say…
I LOVE YOU NICOLE LEANN CHAUVET!!