Chen was hilarious.  Sitting in the back of a certain law school class with her made it not only bearable, but enjoyable: I had a partner-in-humor for making light of an otherwise stressful classroom experience.  But her whispered quips betrayed her modesty - despite our eye-rolling at the inflated seriousness of "it all," she was always extremely well prepared and likely had a better grasp of the material than the rest of us.

Chen was warm, a fantastic listener, and could make anyone feel comfortable opening up to her.  During a friend's birthday party last year, we spent a decent chunk of time locked in one of the apartment's few bathrooms, deaf to the angry shouts and knocks of some of the party's many attendees.  Far more important than their pleas was our discussion of what we thought mattered in life, and our hopes and fears surrounding those priorities.  We were quite the picture: as Chen sat in the bathtub, and I in the sink, she said some of the nicest things to me that anyone has ever said, and though I tried my best to return the favor, I doubt that I did.  Thankfully we eventually left the bathroom, and though she could have spent the rest of the night hanging out with any of the rest of her many friends there, she repeatedly ran to me (squealing with excitement) with proof of one priority in particular, and analyzed each bit of evidence with me.

Chen's positivity was such a core part of her personality that she was able to put on a smile and be her everyday, bubbly self a few months ago when she wasn't feeling well and probably would have rather napped than entertain guests!  Her grace and strength checks me on those days when the stress of life makes me feel extra grumpy.  I think of her and try to treat others with more care and patience, as she undoubtedly would.

It's difficult to even begin processing this news, and my heart is very heavy for your family, to say the least.  Your daughter and sister was a wonderful person.  Though she will be (and has been) sorely missed, those of us who were lucky enough to receive her kindness and learn from her optimism will always carry her spirit with us.