Genevieve Kang Instagram – ‘Zoey’ means life, and she enriched mine in ways I’ll be forever grateful. Zo and I met on Craigslist in 2010, it’s the only time I’ve ever online dated. we looked each other straight in the eyes and declared ourselves soulmates. Zo was my companion, a part of me. if you loved me, you had no choice but to love her too. Zo was my teacher (still is). she taught me about healthy boundaries, self-worth, and getting what you want. she taught me to never settle for anything less than what I deserve. she taught me to not take things so personally. she taught me that love isn’t to grasp or control, but rather to let go. she taught me to slow down. Zo was the kind of cat that made people who disliked cats, love cats. Zo may have left us earth side but her cheeky spirit remains with me — right now, she’s def laughing. with so much change happening in my life recently, it feels both heartbreaking and purposeful that Zo wasn’t meant to come along for this ride. but rather, her exit was meant to usher me into the next chapter. she’s witchy like that. thank you to everyone who has reached out with support. rest assured, the immense strength, love, and the endless lessons this incredible girl brought to me far outweigh the inevitable pain of loss. death and letting go are a part of life, and I’m so incredibly lucky Zoey chose me for it all. photo taken earlier this year by my dear friend @cristinagareau