Elizha Sanders

There was a point in my life where I truly thought I had it all. Everything made sense. My life had balance. But that was long before I knew I was meant to have one foot on either side of the line. That was before I started to understand who I was, what my life actually needed, and how in my case, balance was overrated. I thought I had it all, but that was before I met Elizha.

At three years old, I was expected to know this boy; but to this day, I had no idea we associated before we could form sentences. As I look through old family videos and pictures, Elizha seems to make an appearance more often. At three, our moments weren't our memories, we didn't value them at all. But at nineteen, going on twenty, I look back on my most valued moments in life. In almost all of those moments, he's usually right there next to me. In time, I've learned that all of my greatest friendships have come unexpectedly, ours is definitely one of those.

People imprint on your life without you realizing that it’s happening. They make a permanent impact, an irreplaceable marking that never goes away, their impression on your life never changes. Knowing E has been nothing short of unforgettable. The memories are permanent, the impact everlasting.

Besides trying all of the things that most people wouldn't and doing all of the things that he probably shouldn't, Elizha spends a lot of time holding a guitar or playing a piano. Doing those things happens to be one of the best decisions he's ever made. He’s incredibly talented, always has been, always will be. Music is what he does. Music is who he is.

I think the one thing that drew me closer to him is how he’s always believed in me. I’ve had a lot of crazy ideas when it comes to my life. No matter what path I choose, Elizha’s always supported it, he’s always believed in me.

Elizha changes a lot of things by just being who he is. He changes a lot of people for the best, including me. I used to be afraid to believe in myself. I was under the impression that I wasn’t meant to be anything extraordinary. And then I had eighth period Spanish with this kid who my parents swore up and down that I knew. I still had no idea what they were talking about, but in time, I understood. He started showing up in my life more often, the conversations got longer, the smiles were wider, the laughs were louder, and the friendship got stronger, until eventually, I considered him to be one of my closest friends during my final year of highschool.

Knowing him has made me truly understand what it means to be valued as a friend. And that even in the mix of the chaos, you’re not alone.

E, I’ve always believed in you. You’ve been talented since day one. Your music will take you anywhere you want to go, as far as you see fit. I know how much it all means to you, your talent, your music, your passion, it’s everything. This is all that you’ve ever wanted, and I hope you get everything you’ve ever worked for.

We have a pretty lengthy history, so it shocks me that I have a single favorite memory of you, and here it is: we were seniors, and at the beginning of the year, we had that ceremony of all of us walking across the stage and receiving our class pins. That night was the first time I heard you and Noah sing that Tenth Avenue North song. When you got off of the stage you came and sat back down next to me, and you stretched your hands out towards my face and said “Jania look, I’m shaking”

That’s how much it meant to you, the song, the music, all of it. There’s something about music that draws you in. I’ve never met anyone else in my life that cares about their passions and their talents as much as you do. And it is hands-down one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen.

You are The Valley's greatest treasure, the one thing The Valley holds above all things.

You’re lucky if you get to have Elizha in your life, and if you don't, you might think you have it all, but you're still missing something. Whether it be a laugh, a single smile or a memory that happens to be one of your favorites. Elizha is one of those people you can't, won't, and don't ever want to forget. Value every moment you spend with him. Hold on to the songs he sings, laugh at the jokes he makes. And just appreciate the fact that you get a minute or two with the golden boy, the one that changes everything.