Laura Hogue

Crafting

I know that many people start and love crafting. Most do this as a hobby, some go a step farther and turn it into a business. Well, we are that family. I started doing some crafts again to keep my mind busy with everything going on. I started making earrings, crocheting and now using a knitting loom I make hats. This has turned into a family affair. My boys love to help bend and move the metal for the earrings, my girls love crocheting and knitting. They even have some paintings. Before my husband passed, we decided to make this a small business. We now sell online and at the market. It doesn’t bring a lot in yet, but we all still just love the time we spend making things together. If you are able to find something to do with the ones you love, cherish those moments.

The Wedding

July 25 2020. The best day ever! It was years in the making. We had been building our life together for 6 years. We made it official on a beautiful sunny perfect day. It was simple, comfortable and our family was there. Due to the COVID virus most were virtually watching. Our ceremony was filled with laughter and happy tears! We wore summer beach attire and just cried and smiled the whole time. Our kids were with us and standing there smiling and crying. We knew that we had truly made ourselves one and our family whole. Who knew this little miss independent and a true ladies man would finally settle down together. A fairy tale. The rest of that weekend we just looked at each other and giggled saying we are married! True love is amazing! Once found, my only advice to you is to never let it go.

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.