(Editor’s Note: Britney Fitzgerald died August 19 at the age of 18. Below is a tribute to her from one of her closest friends.)

Five young girls on a quest to find love! Looking in all the wrong places, they finally stumbled upon something much greater than they could’ve possibly imagined; they found each other.

June 13, 2008 is the date that the five of us (Britney, Shakira, Raven, Me and Tamara) will never forget. According to Britney, this is the official anniversary of “Da Crew,” but who can put a label on a bond deeper than a friendship because we are more like a sisterhood.

There wouldn’t be enough time in a day to share the stories of countless hilarious and hysterical moments that we’ve had together, but one in particular that seems so vivid as if it happened yesterday. Given that we were all of age (well, some of us), we decided that we were grown enough to finally go to a party strictly for the 18 and over crowd. As usual, we piled up in the “crew-mobile,” and took off to the party that was supposed to be a kickoff to the upcoming summer. One by one we stepped out of the car with our cute outfits and high heel pumps. With our arms linked to one another, we presented our ID’s at the front door, given wristbands and were soon escorted to a large ballroom where we were to party all night. As the doors opened to the ballroom, we walked in and just stood there in shock for about five minutes. Our mouths dropped as we looked around to see that there was no one insight. Five pretty girls just standing there alone on a dance floor. It sounds pretty pathetic, but that night made us realize that we didn’t need to be around a crowd of people to enjoy ourselves. Give us some good music, and we are set for the entire night!

Over the past few years, I’ve watched my sisters grow into remarkable young women that are not ashamed of who they are and carry themselves like respectable and responsible people. None of us can say that we are not influenced by one another in certain ways. Although at times it seems unfathomable that one of us has passed, we still hold on to the knowledge, advice, friendship, limitless memories and love that she brought to our lives. Britney was not only a great person and an amazing friend, but her spirit is what made others gravitate towards her. She had a sweet, spontaneous and authentic personality mixed with determination, wit, leadership, clumsiness and a little bit of attitude. “I refuse to let anyone tell me that my dreams are impossible to achieve.” She yelled over the blaring music as she drove and bopped her head to Diva by Beyonce. The ones that knew her personally can say that her immense amount of strength set her apart from others. “A Giver”, that is what she was. Not only did she bless us with her open heart, but she gave us the peace of mind that there are still truly genuine people in the world.

As sisters, we hold on to memories and moments and pieces of each other that others cannot understand. This is the time that we begin to cherish every minute that we spend together and reminiscing on the past two years, there have been plenty of humorous moments that sometimes we long to relive. Getting into unimaginable and unexplainable predicaments that one can’t even wrap their mind around. From getting keys locked inside the car on a freezing cold New Year’s night, to being the only five people at a party or breaking into each other’s house to get the frosting and sprinkles we need to put finishing touches on cupcakes. We make the best out of every situation that we are given and stick together no matter how difficult, painful or baring times may get.

Each of us is unique in many different ways, yet we find the balance to ultimately make up one person. We found each other for a reason and continue to show the unconditional love that most dream of obtaining. The bond that we share is more than just being “Da Crew” and far past being best friends; we are always and forever sisters.

We love you and miss you, Britney,

Friends Forever, Maya Whitely