Anne Bradach

I have several memories that stand out when I think of Anne. The first is how we adopted our dog, Jack. One random day at work, Anne showed me a picture of the cutest little puppy who was being kept outside in the cold. We already had a dog at the time, but I showed that sweet face to my husband anyway. His response was immediate: "He's ours. Call Anne. Right. Now." Anne and Scott made it happen, and before long, Jack was ours. What Anne may never have fully realized is that she didn't just rescue a dog from the cold; she gave Jack a forever home (he definitely scored, by the way!) and brought so much joy into our lives. Every time we look at him, we think of the kindness and compassion that made that moment possible. Another memory that cannot be left out is from 2013, when Anne talked me into joining NoBo, or "No Boundaries," a 12-week run/walk training program. For a little background, I Hated (with a capital H) running. She really had to work on me for weeks before I finally acquiesced and agreed to give it a try. Long story short, I completed the program and ran my first 5K in 33:20, an accomplishment I never would have imagined achieving without her encouragement. I eventually went on to run eleven more races between 2013 and 2020, including the Twilight 10K with Alison (pictured with Anne and me at the Make-A-Wish 5K in 2013). Anne sparked a love for something I had previously wanted nothing to do with. More importantly, she made it fun. She encouraged me every step of the way and kept reminding me that I could do more than I thought I could. Those years of hard work, sweat, tears, laughter, camaraderie, and personal achievement all began because Anne persuaded me to step outside my comfort zone. Another favorite memory is from a visit back to Madison when we met at Capital Brewery to catch up. This picture perfectly captures what it was like whenever we got together: smiles, laughter, stories, and simply enjoying each other's company. I smile every time I look at it, and I will treasure the memory of that day forever. I feel incredibly blessed that our paths crossed in life. Our friendship meant the world to me and my life is richer because of it. Until we meet again, my dear friend. 😘😘