It's been a while since it that day.
Really, I'm still incredulous about it all. Just how fast it happened. How quickly it all went from 0 to 100. I didn't expect to wake up that day and be greeted with dozens of messages from all manner of people that you were no longer with us. And the whirlwind of emotion that first day brought, was just... suffocating. That one of my closest friends had left this world. It wasn't real to me.
But it was.

But through my mourning I came to realize that it shouldn't dismiss the other realities that you brought to me.
You were one of the first people to take a chance on me when I first started posting here to FA. I was already aware of your artwork before, and I was always so in awe. The perspective, the colors, the shapes, all that. So much high-quality effort into these silly pictures of big and round animal-people. Your style was as unique as you were, and I wouldn't have imagined you would see my work and decide to get to know me. But you did. And you introduced me into a whole world of people and things that I didn't even think possible.

But then our friendship kept growing. You bought me Clip Studio for my birthday, completely out of left field. You recommended the tablet I use now, and I still love it. You showed me to all sorts of tricks and methods for making art, and really made me want to hone in on improving my art theory. You introduced me to so many amazing people whom I am still friends with to this day, and whom I continue to share experiences with. You also introduced me to the Ori games, two of my most treasured games of all time. You were always there for me when I needed you, to vent out a frustration, or to just send silly memes and drawings to one another. That's not even mentioning how much art you've gifted me over the years, I truly am blessed for that hahahaha. Even if I didn't feel like I was reciprocating that generosity well, you always assured me that all you wanted out of me was for me to keep being myself.

You did so much for me. So much more than I think you knew. You were like a brother to me. Someone I could aspire to be like, someone who was always ready to give helpful advice. Throughout it all, you helped cultivate a wonderful community that was impacted by your infectious personality, your generous, kind nature, and incredible artwork. And by that metric, I think it safe to say that even though you have passed, you will not be forgotten anytime soon. I certainly won't forget what all you've done for me.

Even though you're gone, my life is so much better with you having been a part of it at all.
I'll always treasure our memories, and I will keep striving to improve for the future.
I don't really believe in a heaven or anything like that. But I just hope wherever you are now, you're okay.

Thank you, for everything, Tyler.
I'll never forget you.
Rest in peace.