I met Raoul in undergrad. I always picture him smiling and joking because he was a joker - always making us laugh. He was genuine and kind-hearted and truly cared deeply for his friends and family.

He was an engineering student, so by virtue of his program of study, he divided his time diligently between studying and partying

Raoul was the type of friend who would be your go-to guy for any sort of social engagement that required an escort. If none of my girl friends wanted to go to a particular club or attend a certain event, Raoul could always be counted on as the guy who would say yes and you'd know that a good time was guaranteed.

I remember one time Raoul and I concocted the idea of amaretto slushies - made with freshly fallen snow from the backyard. We made sure to use the fresh white snow, don't worry

Raoul was my date to the senior year Charity Ball when Raseema drank too much and needed to be taken home early. He left me there at the venue to find her and make sure she got home in one piece, but then returned for me before the night was over.

When the scent of Drakkar Noir first became popular in the 90's, he got so excited from the positive reaction that women would give him for his scent, that he wound up buying this knock-off spray for his car called, "The Drake" Raoul loved that red sports car of his. It was his chick-magnet And once, I accidentally and totally unintentionally - threw up in it. It was Halloween 1998 and a group of us from university (girls and guys) wanted to go out dancing. All the girls ended up bailing on me, so it wound up being me and "the boys" - Warren, Giuliano and Raoul.

They teased me that, "If you're going to go out with the big boys, Amy, then you're gonna have to drink like the big boys!" After a night of dancing and drinking piddly apple ciders with him and the boys - I am almost certain that somebody at the club spiked my drink when I carelessly left it unattended while I danced. I went from feeling totally sober to out of control within a matter of minutes - and I am not a big drinker by any means. Raoul made sure I got home safely that night and he kept tabs on me for the next 18 hours of hell that I endured the aftermath of whatever I ingested that night. But yeah ... I threw up in his car. Not surprisingly, he sold that car not too long after...

We (Raseema, Raoul and I) went to a Janet Jackson concert together when the Velvet Rope tour came to Toronto. He danced his little rump-shaking wiggle the whole time and we three had a blast.

Raoul died a year ago on this day from a sudden heart attack while playing ultimate frisbee with his recreational league. He was 34. I didn't have a chance to say goodbye but I have fond memories of him and I know his many friends feel the same sense of loss and disbelief at his not being with us anymore.

I thought I'd share a photo from an event we attended together with friends for our mutual friend's stag and doe party.

You are so deeply missed, Raoul. Save an amaretto slushie for me and I'll join you for a drink when it's time for us to meet again