a year ago
78
6
Posted On: July 28th 2025, 07:08 pm
Dear Natalyn,
After receiving the news of your passing and attending your home going service this weekend, it’s taken me some time to really process everything. I hate that I never got the chance to say thank you or tell you how much I love you. Thank you for always being such a good friend, for being a light, and for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone.
We first met in sixth grade, where you approached me and said, “You know we’re cousins.” It always made me laugh that I knew @jillian_paige_dixon before I knew you, but that was due to my extended Rutledge family. I’m so glad God chose that moment to give us more than just a friendship—we built a bond. We have so many wonderful memories from middle school: dances, sleepovers, birthday parties, and our funny late-night phone conversations. You always knew the fashion trends and were always that girl!
You are the person who first put me on social media—teaching me coding for MySpace and inviting me to Facebook. Even though I went to another high school, you always included me. You never made me feel left out, even when you had a new friend group. You were welcoming in a way that made everyone feel at home.
I loved how you would come to my mom’s classroom if I was at Central, just to visit and catch up. Your vulnerability and creativity were truly your superpowers. You were self-taught, fearless in sharing your story, and you did it effortlessly—with grace, humor, and heart.
My apologies for not continuing to reach out. I let my own teenage insecurities get in the way of our friendship, always thinking there would be time to reconnect. I’m sorry I was too late and failed to realize that time waits for no one.
I’m so blessed to have spent the time I had with you. I’m thankful not only for you but also for your family, who embraced all of your friends and made us feel like one of their own. You are a bright light who will forever be etched on the hearts of everyone who had the joy of knowing you.
I love you, Nat, and I’ll forever cherish the joy, light, and inspiration you brought into my life.
#forevernatalyn
After receiving the news of your passing and attending your home going service this weekend, it’s taken me some time to really process everything. I hate that I never got the chance to say thank you or tell you how much I love you. Thank you for always being such a good friend, for being a light, and for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone.
We first met in sixth grade, where you approached me and said, “You know we’re cousins.” It always made me laugh that I knew @jillian_paige_dixon before I knew you, but that was due to my extended Rutledge family. I’m so glad God chose that moment to give us more than just a friendship—we built a bond. We have so many wonderful memories from middle school: dances, sleepovers, birthday parties, and our funny late-night phone conversations. You always knew the fashion trends and were always that girl!
You are the person who first put me on social media—teaching me coding for MySpace and inviting me to Facebook. Even though I went to another high school, you always included me. You never made me feel left out, even when you had a new friend group. You were welcoming in a way that made everyone feel at home.
I loved how you would come to my mom’s classroom if I was at Central, just to visit and catch up. Your vulnerability and creativity were truly your superpowers. You were self-taught, fearless in sharing your story, and you did it effortlessly—with grace, humor, and heart.
My apologies for not continuing to reach out. I let my own teenage insecurities get in the way of our friendship, always thinking there would be time to reconnect. I’m sorry I was too late and failed to realize that time waits for no one.
I’m so blessed to have spent the time I had with you. I’m thankful not only for you but also for your family, who embraced all of your friends and made us feel like one of their own. You are a bright light who will forever be etched on the hearts of everyone who had the joy of knowing you.
I love you, Nat, and I’ll forever cherish the joy, light, and inspiration you brought into my life.
#forevernatalyn
Comments (6)
a year agodr.rutledge_ob
I just love it! Thank you for this tribute. It was so nice to see you there with us. One of my cousins asked just last night who you were. When I told her, she went on to connect you to your mother who was one of her teachers back in the day ❤️. We’ve all been connected for quite some time!
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