Growing up with Quinten was nothing short of an adventure. He was my partner in crime, my constant, my very first best friend. We were thick as thieves, always together, always up to something, and usually, something we weren’t supposed to be doing.
One minute we’d be fighting like cats and dogs, and the next, we couldn’t even remember why we were mad. That was just us. No matter what, we protected each other. We were each other’s everything.
Some of my favorite memories are of us riding our bikes around the neighborhood, getting lost in the magic of the day. We’d spend hours playing in the creek, coming home covered head to toe in mud, much to our mom’s dismay. But that was Quinten: full of life, full of energy, and always finding joy in the simplest things.
We went through a lot together, especially losing our father when we were very young. That kind of loss leaves a mark. For much of his life, Quinten didn’t know what it felt like to have a father’s steady love. But when James came into our lives, that changed. James didn’t just become our mom’s husband, he became the father figure Quinten had always longed for.
One of Quinten’s favorite things in the world was going fishing with James; those quiet, peaceful days on the water meant more to him than words could ever express. They bonded deeply, and those memories brought him so much joy.
Quinten loved being outdoors; anything outside brought him peace and excitement. Whether it was camping trips with Jared, fishing with James, or just sitting by a fire, nature was his happy place.
Before Quinten was diagnosed, my relationship with our mom was strained. There was distance and hurt that built up over time. But in the middle of his own battle, Quinten somehow found the grace and wisdom to bring us back together. He reminded me what forgiveness looks like, what love feels like, and why family matters more than pride or past mistakes. Because of him, Mom and I found our way back to each other. That’s a gift I can never repay, and I know he knew exactly what he was doing.
Another gift Quinten gave us was his love for Andrea. Watching him find that one special person who truly saw him, understood him, and loved him deeply was something I’ll never forget. Andrea brought light into his life, and he adored her with every part of his heart. Together, they built a life filled with laughter, love, and loyalty.
Family meant everything to Quinten. He loved his stepbrother Kevin and Kevin’s wife, Terra; he saw them not just as extended family, but as his own. And when Lincoln came into the world, Quinten was overjoyed to be an uncle. His love for that little boy was pure and proud. You could see it in his eyes every time he talked about him.
One of the things that brought Quinten the most happiness, even in the middle of his own pain, was knowing that I was bringing a little boy into the world. He was so excited for me, so proud, so happy. It broke his heart knowing he wouldn’t get to meet him, but he had peace knowing that Jared would be there for me. He loved Jared deeply, and it meant the world to him to know that we would be okay.
And of course, one of the deepest and most enduring loves in Quinten’s life was the love he had for our mom. Over the past two years, she gave everything she had for him: her time, her energy, her strength, and her heart. She was his tireless advocate, his caretaker, his protector. The way she cared for him wasn’t just out of duty; it was pure love. And Quinten knew it. He felt it deeply.
Quinten was one of the most generous souls you could ever meet. He had an enormous heart and would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He showed up for people in quiet, powerful ways, whether you needed a laugh, a hand, or just someone to sit with you in the dark. If you were in his circle, you were loved fiercely.
And his love didn’t stop with people; Quinten had the biggest heart for animals, especially his dog, Lenny. Lenny wasn’t just a pet to Quinten; he was family, a loyal companion, a source of peace and joy.
He was honest, sometimes a little too honest, but that was part of his charm. You always knew where you stood with him. And those hugs, he gave the kind that made you feel like nothing in the world could touch you. That mischievous twinkle in his eye when he smiled? That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.
Even in the face of incredible challenges, Quinten’s resilience was awe-inspiring. He taught us what it means to keep going, to choose joy, and to live with your whole heart.
Today, as we say goodbye, I know I’m not just losing my brother. I’m losing my truest friend. But I also know he’d want us to go forward with joy, with laughter, with purpose, just like he did.
So let’s honor Quinten the best way we can.
Let’s live like him.
The Q life Grief Journey 