LAURA INGRAHAM: The Charlie Kirk I knew

Because of his traditional views and his growing following online and on campus, the hard left despised him. Charlie was a direct threat to progressives' stranglehold on young minds. Charlie was traditional and pragmatic, but he was also eternally optimistic about America. 

Charlie's enthusiasm for the future was infectious. If you started watching his video debates, appearances on Fox or listening to his podcast, you were hooked whether you agreed with him or not. You got why he connected.

A few months ago, my 15-year-old son was watching something on his computer while we were on a flight - he was supposed to be reading. I was annoyed. But then I saw that it was a Charlie Kirk video, and I was relieved. "Mom, shush! I'm watching him take on this liberal!"

I took a photo of Niko and texted it to Charlie. Of course, he loved it.

And when my daughter Maria heard Charlie was bringing his college tour to Texas A&M last spring, she was over the moon. Charlie brought her friends backstage. He recorded a video of all of them and sent it to me. "She's doing well! Not getting into any trouble, so don't worry!"

Watching him mature from a lanky teenager to a man and then to a political and cultural icon was itself a gift. But the personal side of Charlie was even better. 

Always teasing him, I asked what a gorgeous girl like her saw in a geeky right-winger like him. We laughed a lot that night. They were both beaming and in love. Their values lined up on all the big issues - wise beyond their years.

We have a lot of work to do.

Rest in peace, Charlie.