How it Began

I met the love of my life and best friend in college. We quickly became friends and oh could he cook! He made me laugh and showed me that it is okay not to always stay in my little safe square. After lots of determination on his part, we went on our first date three years after meeting. This date turned out to be a family affair. It was the quickest that my kids had ever accepted anyone. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In most ways Dietrich and I were complete opposites. But our sense of humor, love for life, love for new journeys outweighed any issues we had. We could talk through anything. He taught my kids how to do so much. He taught them so much about life. He became the dad they needed. His kids blended right in with mine. Soon we decided to move, far away I might add. We packed up and moved from Indiana to The Carolinas. The best thing to ever happen to us. We just couldn’t believe it was real. We were in a dream. Then the unthinkable, cancer. Cancer is never something you want to hear about. Something that you know is out there but never really dealt with closely. Right after he was diagnosed, everything was a blur. Tests, pills (lots of pills), doctor visits, constant worry and monitoring. Hospital trips more than I ever thought possible. But the kicker, finally finding our dream. Finally truly opening up to each other and then getting married. Priorities changed. What would have made us happy before felt empty. God became the center of it all. He was guiding us on this road. We cried happy tears, sad tears, angry tears. We prayed for miracles to happen. We thought we had more time. We were planning to grow old together. This ended abruptly when in February 2021, he was taken to his true home. I felt complete and utter loss. How would I go on from this? How will I take care of the family? I am not strong enough. But then it hit me, God put Dietrich in my life for a reason. Dietrich challenged me to do better. From there life truly begins.