WE CHOOSE HAPPY
A Legacy of Love and Strength
 

On August 12, 2022, our lives were forever changed when our sweet 13-year-old daughter, Ava, passed away after a courageous battle with a brain tumor. Though her time with us was far too short, Ava’s light continues to shine brightly in the lives of all who knew her.

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Ava was full of life. Her loving smile, caring heart, and passion for sports—whether cheering from the volleyball court or dominating the softball mound—made her unforgettable. She had a special way of making people feel seen and loved, and she lived every day with joy and purpose.

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After her passing, we found a small sticker on her scooter that read, “choose happy.” That simple phrase captured so much of who Ava was. Even in the face of unthinkable difficulty, she chose joy. She chose kindness. She chose love. And above all, Ava chose to live fully, every single day.

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Ava had a deep faith in our Lord and Savior, and her trust in Him gave her a peace that touched everyone around her.

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In the wake of our unimaginable loss, we knew we needed to find a way to carry Ava’s spirit forward—to make sure her legacy of love, kindness, and resilience continued to impact the world. That’s how Avel & Co. was born.

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Formed in October 2022, Avel & Co. holds a meaning that is deeply personal to our family. It combines the names of our two children, Ava and Eli—Av + El. And in Hebrew, “Avel” (uh-vel) means gentle breath—a fitting reflection of the grace, warmth, and quiet strength Ava brought into our lives.

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Everything we create through Avel & Co. is rooted in the values Ava lived by: love deeply, live joyfully, and always choose happy. Her story is now part of our story, and through Avel & Co., her gentle breath lives on.