Thank you Hugo for living your life so laid back, for always smiling and for always being so helpful, for being so nice and always making everybody laugh.

I don’t have as many stories of Hugo as those closest to him. So at his services when we were asked if anybody wanted to say some words about Hugo.

I didn’t stand up. I should have, but the chicken shit in me took over and I just sat there. I sat there listening at all the things his friends and family were saying. They all shared similar stories. They all talked about his love for food, for adventure, his love for his family and life.

When I first started working with my friend Diana. I thought it was the cutest thing that Hugo would pick her up for lunch every couple of weeks. She’d always come back with something funny to say that Hugo did. Sometimes she even had that look on her face of excitement like when couples start dating. Almost like they were getting to know each other. That is my favorite thing about them as a couple. After being together for so many years they still went on dates, they still said I love you when they talked on the phone and they were truly excited to be in each other’s company. Then you add Abby and Jeremy and their level of happiness goes higher than the sky. Diana has always been one of those moms that has so much pride in her voice and in her eyes when she talks about her kids. And Hugo is one of those dads who’s pride shows in every single fun thing they do together.

Hugo was such a foodie. Him and Diana would take the kids to the Anaheim Art Walk every time I had a booth there. They would stay the entire time and pretend they were there to support me. They think I don’t know that they were actually there for the food trucks LOL. The look on their faces was of 5 year old’s at a candy store. From tots from Mess hall Canteen to crepes from Crepes Bonaparte. They love their food! But my favorite thing and what I will carry in my heart is the day they picked up my huge containers of stuff I was going to be selling at the Art Walk. Took it to down town Anaheim for me. Hugo started to unpack my stuff. Diana quickly TRIED to put a stop to it, because she knows how picky I am and how I like to do everything myself. Hugo set up my tables anyway. He taped the cables down and out of the way so nobody would trip over them. And then OMG he saw the candles. I don’t even remember what he yelled but Diana and I turned around wondering what he was so excited about. A few days before I was on Instagram live making washi tape candles and he was logged on watching me make them. So when he saw them he realized it was what I was making on IG Live. It was the funniest thing. I will always carry that in my heart Hugo. You took the time to help me when you didn’t have to. you taped the cords down when I didn’t even think to. You set up my tables for me even when you knew how picky I was. You took your wife and kids to every art walk I was a part of and not only purchased from my small business but you guys took your time and went to every vendors booth. Those are the selfless things I will always remember.

I am probably rambling. I would have been a mess if I had actually stood up to talk at his services.

So I will leave you with some of my favorite photos I had the honor of taking a few years ago.

Your adventure continues Hugo. When you come across my dad, you will know it’s him because he will talk your ears off. But I promise you, you are in for some fun times with him.