WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — Paula McLaughlin lost her brother, Mike Hoogasian, and his wife, Sandy, in The Station nightclub fire in 2003.

For the 10th anniversary, she created a photo exhibit called "Station Ink." Now 10 years after that, she says it was a major turning point in her journey of healing.

"Twenty years later, everything is still there,” she said.

"Station Ink" was a photo exhibit of people displaying tattoos of their loved ones. (WJAR)

It's a time span that McLaughlin has a hard time wrapping her head around.

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"Our family just lives with it every day,” she said about losing her brother and his wife.

"Station Ink" was a photo exhibit of people displaying tattoos of their loved ones. (WJAR)

McLaughlin described the impact that "Station Ink" -- a photo exhibit of people displaying tattoos in memory of their loved ones -- had on her.

“That was the most amazing experience,” McLaughlin said. “That was a big turning point in my grief.”

Paul McLaughlin's brother Michael Hoogasian and his wife, Sandy, were killed in The Station nightclub fire. (Family photo)

She felt it was the best way to honor Mike and Sandy because of their love of tattoos, and it was a place to go to mark 10 years since the fire.

The exhibit not only raised nearly $25,000 toward building the Station Fire Memorial Park , but also had a profound impact on her personally.

"Since then, amazing friendships have come out of that," she said. "Ten years later, we all have each other to talk to if we need to talk to someone, especially in February."

It is a difficult month for her. Mike's birthday, the fire and his funeral were all one week apart from each other.

The exhibit also led to more experiences on her journey of healing.

Not long after “Station Ink,” a small exhibit was shown at Barnes and Noble, and a while after that a mini “Station Ink” was displayed at the Warwick Center for the Arts.

McLaughlin said the experience introduced her to so many people she may not have ever met, but is grateful she did.

"It was way too hard, but then when we started photographing everyone, and everyone wanted to be part of this, I met so many people," she said.

"Station Ink" was a photo exhibit of people displaying tattoos of their loved ones. (WJAR)

One was local filmmaker David Bellino, who saw the exhibit and wanted to feature it, and Mike and Sandy, in his documentary about the fire called "The Guest List."

"Have everyone know who Mike and Sandy were, and tell their love story," McLaughlin said.

And that is how she wants them remembered. For their love. They were married only a year when the fire happened.

McLaughlin marked the 10th anniversary in a public way, but she said she'll mark the 20th anniversary of the fire quietly.

"Absolutely,” she said. "We're keeping private this anniversary for sure."

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Twenty years later, she finds herself better able to cope with the loss that's still there every day.

"I used to get mad when people would say, 'Your brother doesn't want you to be sad,' or, 'They wouldn't want that,'" McLaughlin said. "And I used to get so mad at that, and I know that's true."

Her own tattoo is now a permanent, visible and fitting reminder of the love she'll always have for Mike and Sandy.

What would Mike think of how far she's come?

“Oh, I think he'd be happier. The first 10 years were awful,” McLaughlin said. "I think both of them would be happy, and happy that I finally started liking tattoos, too"