Remembering Cole: Where the Mountains Touch the Sky

On July 10, Cole would have celebrated his 26th birthday.

This will be the third birthday week without him here on this side of the veil.

Birthday week began when I had my children, and they reveled in being celebrated all week.

This week is no longer about celebrating, but rather a time for remembrance and reminiscing—reflecting on the person Cole was and the ways we can continue his legacy.

Each year, we travel to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to visit "Cole's Forest because shortly after Cole's accident, four dear friends generously donated 23 trees through the USDA Forest Service—one for each year of Cole's life.

Checking on Cole's trees and watching those tiny saplings grow stronger with each passing year reminds me that love and grief can coexist.

The ranger who escorted us that first year to the place where his trees were planted told us that it's rare for memorial trees donated in someone's honor to be planted together. But because so many trees had been donated for Cole, they were. He said it was clear that Cole was deeply loved.

Today, those trees line both sides of a quiet dirt road atop a breathtaking mountain. Standing there, you can see for miles. It is one of those places the Irish call "the thin places"—where heaven and earth seem to draw a little closer, and beauty has a way of taking your breath away.

How fitting that Cole's Forest is here—a place of quiet wonder, enduring love, and the reminder that even after unimaginable loss, life continues to grow.

Cole loved places like this. He embraced every adventure that came his way and found joy in hiking, climbing, exploring, and discovering new places, especially when his beloved Mini Aussie, Daisy Mae, was his companion. He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and believed there was something sacred about wild places. He also loved sharing music and encouraging people to really listen to the lyrics.

One of his favorite songs was Culberson County by Red Shahan, especially the lyric about preserving wild, lonely places. It perfectly captured his love of nature and his belief that these places were worth protecting.

That is why the American Hiking Society feels like such a meaningful partner in preserving Cole's legacy. While the USDA Forest Service planted Cole's Forest, donations made in Cole's memory help care for the trails, forests, and wild places he would have loved to explore. They also create opportunities for others to experience the same sense of wonder and adventure that meant so much to him.

Cole's legacy lives on every time someone chooses to embrace the things he loved most—finding joy in nature, caring for others, and meeting each day with kindness. Every act that reflects the way Cole lived and loved carries a piece of him forward.

We'll find you where the mountains touch the sky…

Happy 26th Birthday, Cole. ❤️

Learn more about Cole and the Cole Stevens No Bad Days Project at www.colestevensnobaddaysproject.net.

If Cole's story inspires you, honor his memory in whatever way feels meaningful to you.

Go on a hike.

Breathe in the fresh air.

Clean up a trail.

Gaze at the stars.

Practice kindness.

And if you'd like to help preserve the wild places he loved, you can also donate in Cole's honor to the American Hiking Society through the link on the donation page of Cole's website. If the picture appears cut off, please rotate your device.