If some of you don’t know my name is Nick Martin, I was Jessica’s boyfriend/fiancé/and soon to be husband of almost 11 years. I remember the first night we met; it was New Years Eve 2011 at a mutual friend’s house party. Jessica was playing a drinking game when I started talking to her, we played games and just talked the whole night; we ended up going to get breakfast after and I asked her for her number. She gave it in heartbeat with a huge smile and a hug goodbye, when I got back home my mom asked me how my night went, I said without hesitation “It was amazing, I think I truly met someone special” I couldn’t have been more right. The next morning, I woke up to a text message saying it was nice to meet you and I hope we can see each other again soon. Her cousin Kelly later that day, took her phone and texted me “Love you” to me and Jessica was so embarrassed and thought I would never speak to her again, no chance I just knew there was really something special here. Weeks go by, our first official date was playing basketball at her parents house she kicked my ass in Horse and just talked for hours. Months go by and as we got to know each other more we both started sharing some very personal things, we had both lost some significant family members in a matter of months that was sincerely causing us both some serious depression that we never really shared with anyone else, we both made a packed that we would look out for each other no matter what. Jessica and I decided to go to college at separate schools that were 5 hours apart, this went on for 6 years. It was a very challenging time; but we made it work, we both cared so much for each other and knew our love was a love that was rare and worth fighting for. Jessica returned to St. Louis after college and started teaching Family and Consumer Science (FACS) @ Northwest High School and this where she truly became “Ms. Kozlen” and more importantly a mentor to many young people. She loved what she did, she would tell me and many of her students have told me in the past week they could just talk to her about anything or help them through a difficult situation and help change their life for the better I couldn’t have been proud Myself I am not a teacher but I have been in the fitness industry for the past 8 years inspiring helping others as well and we both just wanted to leave our marks on this world and make it a better place. Jessica did that, there’s no question. About 2 years ago we found out about the cancer, she was with her Parents in Florida visiting rushed to the ER and found it there, I felt helpless I told her on the phone “I am not going anywhere I am here every step of the way”. Through 3 chemotherapies and 1 immunotherapy she never stopped being her amazing, beautiful self, instead of worrying about herself she would ask all of us how we were and if we needed anything, she continued to work through it all up until 2 months ago. She would tell me her kids, family and I personally gave her strength to keep going, she will always be the strongest person I have ever met. In closing the night that she passed, she wasn’t’ able to talk but I thank her for 11 years of amazing loving memories, that I will move forward and continue her legacy of being a good person and inspiring helping others as much as I can. She came through open her eyes and was able to mumble “Love you” as her last words, I will hold on to those for the rest of my life. Myself I have sincerely lost the love of my life and my best friend, but I know she’s always with me in my heart, my memories and got my back from above. The world has lost an amazing daughter, Sister, Aunt, cousin, friend, and teacher, by all means take your time to grieve but remember she would want all of us to carry on as being the best version of ourselves while helping as many people in the process. Thank you