Uvalde Students Who Texted 'I Love You' To Each Other Will Be Buried Side By Side
It keeps getting more heartbreaking.
Facebook Two victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting who had been texting “I love you” back and forth will be buried next to each other this week.
Xavier James Lopez and Annabell Guadelupe Rodriguez, both 10, clicked with each other as soon as they met on their first day of fourth grade.
Now, to honor their close relationship, the families of the two kids have a heartfelt plan.
After losing their kids during school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the moms decided to bury their children side by side.
Anabell’s mother, Monica Gallegos, told ABC News that the two quickly grew close to one another, passing notes to each other in class and playing tag at family barbecues.
Their mothers then found out they had been sending loving texts before bed.
Gallegos and Felicha Martinez, Xavier’s mom, found their kids’ affection for each other adorable.
"Me and Felicha would laugh, like, 'How do y'all know about love?'" Gallegos said.
Xavier and Annabell got matching half-heart necklaces, and they would wear them to his little league games.
The two posed together for their parents after they both earned A-B honor roll on May 24. Xavier put on a big smile as he earned his spot on the honor roll for the first time, with Gallegos joking that Annabell’s smarts influenced him.
That morning would tragically be the last time their parents saw them. Both kids were among the victims of the heartbreaking shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers.
Martinez and Gallegos decided that Xavier and Annabell should be laid to rest alongside each other at Hillcrest Cemetery this week. Xavier’s funeral was held on Tuesday and Annabell’s on Wednesday.
Gallegos said she was “not ready” in the days leading up to her daughter’s funeral.
Xavier is remembered as an energetic young boy by his family. His grandmother, Amelia Sandoval, said that he sold his father’s signature salsa and used the profits to buy toys for his younger brothers. She added that Xavier would join her in dances when her husband could not.
"He had lots of energy to keep up with G-mom," Sandoval said.
Annabell spent much of her free time playing with her two sisters and grandmother. Gallegos said her daughter was very religious and thanked God for another day to start her mornings.
Xavier and Annabell met before they got to know each other in fourth grade. Xavier lived in the same trailer park as Annabell’s grandfather and great-grandmother, and the two toddlers would play together when she visited. Although they did not remember each other, their mothers did.
Gallegos said that even Xavier and Annabell’s teacher, Arnulfo Reyes, knew about their relationship.
Reyes tragically lost all 11 of his students in the attack. He is still recovering from his wounds at a local hospital.
"He would make things for her, he would write notes for her," Reyes said. "It brings a smile to your face just to think they really loved each other."
Jonathan Alfano is a writer who focuses on news and entertainment topics. Follow him on Twitter to keep up with his content.