In every romantic movie, there are trials and tribulations along the way, and we swoon over the romantic moments and sometimes, there is tragedy, and we walk out of the theatre with our tissues in hand, dabbing our eyes.

Our love story was one that ended in tragedy. Here I am two years later, still walking my grief journey. Many have reached out to me to tell me how heartbroken they are for me. We are all heartbroken, because we were all invested in this real life love story. It gave us hope that a love like this could and did actually exist.

The Yeti and I made a long distance relationship work over the years and the miles because we were intentional about our love. We made a pact in the beginning to always leave each others world better than we found it. Every time we were together. It could be a big thing or a small thing. Everything from cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes,  to gifts of flowers, home repairs, cooking, anything. Acts of service. Acts of love.

Intentional communication, sharing songs, jokes, kitchen dances and hundreds and hundreds of games of cribbage. Simple, easy things that meant so much. The simple things are EVERYTHING.  Intentional in communication and affection. A cuddly Yeti, he was always a person of P.D.A. (public displays of affection). That took me a while to get used to, honestly. He was proud of me and would kiss me in public all the time. I was so proud of him, too for a thousand reasons. He was so skilled in his work, generous in his friendships, offering free hugs to almost anyone he met.

I miss him. I miss everything about him. The little things. The way he nodded and smiled when he tasted my cooking and enjoyed his food. The way he cooked Saturday morning brunch, or his “nearly famous nachos”. I miss how he hung his clothes on the line. I miss his morning phone calls to wake me and describe the sunrise to me.  The way he confidently used his creativity to build, carve, sew or figure out a problem. I miss his hugs and how protected I felt when he had his arms around me.  I miss how he called me his sweetheart.

You know the TV show, “A Million Little Things”… I miss a million little things. This morning while I was eating breakfast, I cried because I just missed eating with him. I miss how he held his fork. A million little things…..

Over the past two years, I’ve had conversations and chit chat with many of his friends. They miss him and shared some great stories with me. Thank you to these friends. I know you meant so much to him.

To his children,  I still cry when I think about your broken hearts. You were everything to your Dad. You were his pride and joy. He told me the stories of how he was so overwhelmed with love when each of you were born. He told me of giving you baths and middle of the night feedings when you were babies. He was such a nurturing man. You were his gifts from God. He loved reading to you and teaching you and sharing his knowledge with you. He just loved you both so much. I know he will still walk by your side to guide you throughout your life.

Thank you all for following our journey, for the encouragement and for the continuing support since my precious Yeti’s untimely passing.

One thing I have learned is a quote from Jack Lemmon “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” This is so true, because, even though he has passed on, but his love remains and my love for him will be everlasting.