Andrew Joseph Wheeler and Staci Lee Wheeler

I don't really know how to start my story about everything that went on. I got very close to both Andrew and Staci. Staci ended up being one of my really good friends and even after Andrew and I broke up, we were still very close. I had always knew Andrew. From even when I was a little girl. My mom used to work for his dad Ralph. But somehow we drifted apart. He was 3 years older than me. And he forgot about me. But one day, when I was in the ninth grade him and I ran into each other, going through the same door. And immediately, he started talking to me. He was like, "Isn't your name Amanda?" and "Can I have your phone number?" I was really surprised, so I gave him my phone number. I had a chance to skip school with him a few times, but I didn't take it. So when school was out, in the end of June, he called me and told me he was coming to get me that night. And he did. From then on, we were so close. I told him everything and he told me everything. It was like we were made for each other. We were off and on up until when he died. (Sorry, crying right now) One night, I was on the phone and I got a phone call on the other line. It was Justin, my very good friend and Staci's ex. He told me they had been in a car accident. I didn't even think for a second that they had died. My first question was, "Oh, are they ok?" And he said, "They're dead." I started screaming at him because I thought he was joking and I didn't like the joke at all. But then I realized he was crying and it wasn't a joke. I was in shock. I couldn't talk. I could cry. I couldn't do anything. Finally, I went and told my mom. I didn't start crying until her hand flew up to her mouth. The pain I felt was greater than anything I had ever felt before. I mean, I lost the person who I loved most in the world. And the hardest part is, he loved me too. You can't find love like that everyday. (This is really hard for me) Anyway, they had a memorial service the Saturday after they died. I went over to their house before and as soon as I walked through the door, their dad started hugging me and he started crying, of course, I broke down then too. The candlelight service was very emotional and a lot of people broke down. Sunday at the funeral there were more than 500 people there. There were so many people that some people had to be outside. They were cremated.

The accident happened on March 2, 2000 at 7:30 PM. It was on 522 South in Cuckoo. They were getting ready to go on a skiing trip because we were out of school that Monday. Andrew was always a speed racer. He loved being behind the wheel of his Mustangs. I think he let the power of his cars and the speed take over him. Anyway, he was playing cat and mouse with a guy named Mike. Andrew ran off of the road and over corrected. This is when he lost control. He was skidding down the road and a Mercury Mountaineer came and hit his car on the passenger side. This killed both Staci and Andrew because of the high speed they were going at and because they weren't wearing seatbelts. Cody, who was 9 at the time was thrown out of the car. He lived. He suffered a broken leg and the fact that he had to see someone who loved him so much and like his brother die.

People say time erases pain or either lessens it, but that isn't true. I still have just as much pain as the day they died, if not more. I haven't been to where they crashed since my 17th birthday, April 29, 2000. It's still very hard for me and I think about them everyday. I know they're in a better place, in there own heaven. Together. That's the main thing. They are together and that's what matters. They are watching over me and everyone else who loves them dearly. I know they wouldn't want anyone to cry. Andrew would want people to be happy, but it's hard when you sit there and knowing you lost someone you love so much. I still love Andrew Joseph Wheeler.

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