Alejandro Aparicio

i have so many many things i can say about Alejandro that i learned in such little time. I met him in rehab summer of 2022, and let me just tell you he got me through some of the hardest 32 days of my life. We checked in on the exact same day… and 2 days later a mutual friend introduced us we then became “rehab loves” sounds so cringey. but it was honest to god the realest thing i had felt in years. I’ve lost a lot of immediate family, and other loved ones and i hadn’t felt anything real since before losing any of them which was when i was 17. Alejandro, made me feel like i could be myself, wherever and whenever, always made me feel worthy of anything but mostly myself. I know how hard he struggled as well and i just wish there was something i could’ve done to help him. I remember he got a release date before me, and i was so sad he was leaving he tried to extend his stay just for me. I’ve never met someone so real, down to earth, funny, outgoing, pestimistic, courageous, & not afraid to speak his mind. He always encouraged me to raise my hand and speak during our NA meetings or groups, I was always so shy, and he got that out of me. The 2nd i returned home (Chicago) it was hard to get a hold of Alejandro. I’ve been reaching out ever since over text, instagram, and snapchat. I was worried something had happened, or he just didn’t want to even try a long distance friendship. I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to keep bugging him. But i still would reach out the past year and try and get a response but i got nothing besides one message back a little before christmas that just said “i miss u”. I didn’t care how short it was it felt so good to hear from him. but then after that message nothing. Today at 3:30 AM i decided to finally grow some courage and see if there was an obituary in his name in Florida. and so i did, and here it is. The news that dropped my heart, the fact that i had no idea. I wish i had mutuals with him i’m sure i would have known sooner. One thing I can say about Alejandro as well that i admired about him, was how much he loved his mom & brother. I hope you guys are reading this. Because wow, he talked about you both everyday at BANYAN with such a big smile, how proud he was of you guys, and how proud he was of himself. He was so excited to show you guys that he had it down, finally. He finally felt safe and okay. And was overly ready to show you guys what you had been waiting for. I could go on for hours but these tears won’t leave my eyes. To not only my “rehab love” but my friend, my boyfriend, the boy i dreamed of marrying: you felt so right, you made me feel so right, and you made me realize the self worth i needed to grow. Thank you, thank you so much for everything. I will now be looking up at all my angels telling them to take good care of you up there, and i can even look up and tell you now, to take good care of yourself up there. I know this life wasn’t easy. This disease we were born with wasn’t easy. But you were never alone. I just want you to know that, you were so loved my sweet angel, may you be resting easy. i’ve missed you like crazy, and now it’s only gonna get harder. Fly high sweet boy