Below is my Victim Impact Statement. Kevin Archibald was a good friend of mine, and I am so sad to lose him to a violent, senseless car crash. This has impacted my life every day since. One of my good friends is missing.

His wife, Anne Callery, has been my good friend since high school (36 years). She was so delighted to find Kevin, her soul mate. I’m sure no relationship is perfect, but I saw them as friends and partners for their years together. I was at their wedding in 1997. I loved seeing them together. When Anne got Kevin as a partner, I was so lucky to get him too as a friend.

Though Kevin lived in California and I live in Minnesota, I enjoyed watching his activities on Facebook and we kept in touch. I experienced Kevin as joyful with a childlike innocence. He loved Minnesota. We always got together when he came here. He loved the lakes, the nature, the food and even the water towers. He talked about moving here. He loved many things in his life, and I got to learn about these things from him. He loved food and did his best to eat as healthy as he could. He loved surfing and playing hockey. He was a computer nerd. He could always explain the latest computer technology to me. He loved music. He always seemed happy and curious and interested in learning more. Not long before his death, he was present in Minnesota at my wedding. He seemed like he really enjoyed it and loved the music we had. We were supposed to send him a CD of the singer. We never got that opportunity. I feel so guilty and sad about that. I never imagined that there would not be enough time.

I don’t think I will ever forget the day that Anne told me that Kevin was not going to live, but she knew that he loved me. His death is a terrible hole in my life. I can’t even imagine how Anne feels. I try to be supportive to her, but the pain is so much.

I know Kevin made my life better, and I miss him and hurt for myself and for Anne and their families. I really think that he made the world a better place for all of us. It is a horrible fact that he is not here with us anymore.