Goodbye for now, Sonja

Talk about it

When people ask me how I know Sonja Peterson, I’m not sure what to say. The automatic answer is that I’m friends with her older sister Kira, but it’s much more than that. I’ve known the entire Peterson family since preschool. While Kira and I have an 18-year bond that can’t be broken, Sonja and I have also developed a friendship over the years based on common interests.

We both chose to major in English in college, love to cook and share a passion for clothing that Kira doesn’t seem to comprehend.

“Sonja went all the way to the Cities. By herself. Just to go shopping,” Kira told me earlier this week.

Duh, I thought. Where else can you find a Banana Republic in this state?

Sonja and I produced two issues of the Lake County News-Chronicle on our own — a hectic but surprisingly fun experience. She’s smart and talented far beyond her age and a wonderful colleague.She also recommended me for the position I now hold at the News-Chronicle, so I owe her a lot.

I will miss her valuable insight on design and hard work on stories. But most of all, I will miss our constant laughter and banter in the office.

She’s returning to college this fall, but we’ll keep in touch, sharing recipes, fashion finds and book recommendations across the miles. Maybe I’ll even rope her into writing

Tags: opinion