I was born in Chicago on December 5, 2007. I was an only child for many years until my brother Lucas arrived in 2014. Shortly after Liam arrived in 2016. I was so excited to finally have siblings. I enjoyed being a big sister and tried to show my brothers everything! I reminded them of what it meant to be a good friend and how to always choose kindness. I gave them the best advice I could on gaming, soccer and many other tidbits that made me who I am. I love them dearly and always did my best to look out for them.
Growing up, I was always surrounded by family. My grandparents Amalia and Melchor were always there for me. They made sure I knew what it meant to have great grandparents and I always felt loved and special in every way a granddaughter should. I had the best aunts and uncles. I was quiet around most of them, but always enjoyed their company. My cousins meant the world to me; especially Sebastian and Juan Jr. We were close in age and even though I was the youngest of the three, I was older in my boss nature. There was never a moment I did not enjoy with them and honestly treated them as brothers. I also had another “brother” named Elijah. He is my brother from another mother since grammar school and is basically part of our family. He was always there for me whenever I needed him and I offered my unsolicited advice every chance I got. I had a lot of other friends that I made at school or soccer. I really cherished each and every one of them. They brought me a different kind of happiness each moment I spent with them and allowed me to be all of the different versions of myself.
Growing up, my parents tried to show me the good in world, but also made sure I understood the bad. I think having exposure to both sides of the world is what really made me, Me. My parents shared stories of them growing up. I chose different in some situations or mimicked my parents choices. In the end, I always chose what was best for me and my parents allowed me to grow into an amazing individual. I was always so full of life and happiness. I embraced the sadness too and used it to drive me in a different direction or feel the feels in my music. I enjoyed life and had so many chances to experience life to the fullest. My happiness was so contagious and I did not even realize my impact.
I had a very special relationship with my parents. My dad and I always bonded over shoes and who would get the next new Jordans. I always knew he would get me new ones as long as we could have matching pairs. We bonded over food and soccer too! Food is life for us and all meals should include a good piece of steak! Especially if it is made by him. My dad has played soccer all his life and I always wanted to follow in his steps for soccer. I thrived this year improving my game and actually practicing. I always tried to bypass the practicing part and my dad would remind me that a good game is played by someone who actually practices. I loved learning new things from him and loved when my parents watched me play. My mom and I bonded over everything. We talked every morning as she made lunches and yes…my mom made my lunch every day. I loved when she did because she always included extra and everyone knew I would have snacks if they ever needed. I turned to my mom for advice on school, friends, clothes, relationships and much more. I was and always will be my mom’s person and BFF. We had a unique bond that kept us both honest with each other always. I truly love my parents and they love me so deeply and beyond words.
My memory will live on in my family and friends. This page allows you to continue to come back and look at different photos or videos or write me updates! Remember that the last 16 years were only a few chapters of my journey and I will live on in each and every one of you!
I will never forget you, not because I have a good memory, but because you touched my soul in ways words could never capture.
A few Fun facts about our Ariana.
- Loves thunder and sunsets.
- Loves jolly ranchers and Twix.
- Obsessed with character bandaids.
- Can eat salami sandwiches every day for lunch.
- Loves hoodies every day of the year.
- Shark slides are the number one shoe of choice outside of her next pair of Jordans.
- Loves stealing socks or mismatching was optional.
- Loves bracelets of all kinds. Made some for a select few 🤍
- Loves dogs, but Oliver is her favorite.
- Searched high and low for a cat she was not allergic to for months.
- Favorite foods of choice: Ramen, burgers, steak with mash potatoes and pork chops with rice and beans.
- Started gaming at the age of six; created numerous worlds in Minecraft, had multiple kills in Fortnite and screamed her way through many other games. Played often with her cousin Sebas and friend Elijah (among many others).
- Her laugh is contagious.
- Her favorite desert is cheesecake and brownies. Combination from Corner Bakery was a must have!
- Broke her clavicle bone twice. Once the day before her 1st birthday and again during a soccer game against Stagg.
- Once told a dental assistant “yo no sabo” when asked a question in Spanish and realized she was actually a yo no sabo kid.
- Loves free Pepsi days.
- Select few know her as Darkynightnight, Toast, Dragonking, Tacosgrapes, Tina, Trina or Bootyhead for jokesies.
- Xbox over Playstation.
- Loves Halloween and Christmas. Totally okay to skip Thanksgiving and go right to her birthday then Christmas.
- Wore number 8 in soccer just like her dad.
- Joined bowling on a whim and ended up liking it.
- Wears the same size clothes and shoes as her Mama (share lots of things).
- Loves skateboarding and going to the skate park by our house with friends
- Took up guitar playing and quickly learned happy birthday. She also loves playing her ukulele while on call with everyone.
- Learned how to crochet and made animals for a few people.
- Loves modeling clay and creating animals.
- Loves stuffed animals.
- Loves onesie pajamas and rocked them anywhere.
- First person (after us) to hold her brothers when they were born.
Thank you for giving me the best hugs 🤍 So many people talk about your side hugs or the quick hugs and I consider myself so very lucky to know your best hugs. I miss you every moment of every single thing we do, but I constantly remind myself of moments like these. I am grateful we had many and wish we had so many more 🤍
Ariana,
I will always miss the way you used to laugh at me every time I mispronounced your name…
One of the first things I admired about you was the awesome relationship you had with your dad. I remember thinking that if I were to ever have a daughter, I would be so lucky to have what the two of you had. Then, when I got to know your mom, I was equally impressed with what a cool relationship the two of you had.
Your level of maturity was far beyond your age, and your younger brothers have been so lucky to have such an amazing older sister and role model.
There are many people in this world who were fortunate enough to be closer to you and know more about you than me. But even I have been thinking about you a lot, and I’ve come to realize that it’s because it was so clear to everyone that knew you, that there was something a little different, special, about you.
I know that despite their overwhelming grief, your parents and brothers will always feel lucky and blessed for the over 16 years of countless loving memories. Those memories will continue to bring them comfort for the rest of their lives.
Your spirit and legacy with live on forever. Your brothers will ultimately grow up to be better, more compassionate and loving men and fathers, because of you.
A star can only be brighter by burning faster. Every time I look up at the night’s sky I think about that, and it will always make me think about you. Thank you Ariana. The world will always be a better place because of how brightly you shined.
I’m so thankful for the happiness and laughter we shared together
Ever since I saw you on the first day of school in eighth grade, I knew I wanted to be your friend. I had so much fun with you in math class in eighth grade and in Spanish class sophomore year (I don’t know how I would’ve passed the vocab tests without you). I will be eternally grateful that we got to hang out as much as we did this year. I miss you and I will never forget you 💞.
Today I was reminded that your name will always be a part of Lurie Children’s forever. Twelve years ago, we donated money and had to put a name. I put your full name and it sits on the wall outside of the hospitals cafeteria. I forgot we did this and went today to pick up items we made your last day with us. I don’t know what reminded me of it, but remembered and was able to take pics. Miss you baby girl. Love that your full name is on places so others are reminded of you ❤️
