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I’m here now. Please, take my hand. We were good together once. We can be again. You always were more stubborn than me, but now I’m the one who isn’t giving up. We vowed we would be together forever. I know I broke that promise once, but I couldn’t help it. You have to know that. I won’t leave you. Not again. Our story isn’t over yet.

Do you remember how it all began? 

I was rushing to history class, late as usual. You were deep in conversation with your best friend, Lucinda, surely discussing that week’s steamy high school gossip as though the fate of the world depended on who hooked up with whom at Derek’s party Saturday night. You didn’t see me coming as you turned the corner, and it startled you. I dropped my books, and put my arms around you as you fell into me. We didn’t stay like that but for a split second, yet time stood still long enough for me to realize you had just kickstarted my life. I hadn’t been living until then, though I hadn’t known it. A series of foster homes after my parents’ death, had me wandering through my days much like I wandered the halls of our high school, not wanting to reach my destination, but not sure what other direction to take.

These last six weeks have felt the same to me. I’ve known in my heart I couldn’t go back to you, but it hasn’t dulled my yearning. You breathed life into me once. Oh, that you would once more! We had a great run, years of a love most find unattainable, having only read about it or seen it in film. We were truly blessed, and my only regret is not having appreciated it more when we were together. They say all good things must come to an end. I refuse to believe that. This can’t be it. There has to be more. Our story isn’t over yet.

Sure, we had some low moments in our relationship, especially the one that changed us as a couple and you from the life-loving woman whose infectious laugh filled our home . Suddenly, it was you who was lost, pacing the hall outside the nursery, as though willing God to bring our sweet little Lucy back to us. Two weeks with her wasn’t enough. Our story wasn’t over yet.

Our relationship never was quite the same after that, tarnished by sorrow much like the baby rattle that still sits on our bedroom dresser so many years later, but our love endured. We leaned on each other, drawing strength from the realization that since our hearts had become one the day we fell in love, we now nurtured the same broken heart. That has to count for something doesn’t it? 

Please come with me now, and we can start anew. Whatever the future holds, whatever that looks like, I can face it with you by my side once more. I’m lost without you, suspended in time. Tell me, why do you hesitate? What is holding you back? Don’t you miss me too? Don’t you long for us to be together? No matter. Know that I’ll wait an eternity for you if I have to because you are worth it. The kids have just arrived so I’ll leave you to them, but I won’t be far. You know where to find me when you’re ready. I wait with arms outstretched, my love.

“Mom, it’s Diana. Can you hear me? We’re all here. I’m sorry. I swore I wasn’t going to cry. Thomas and I want to tell you it’s okay to let go now. We’ll miss you, but we’ll be okay. Little Lacey said you mentioned something about a story during our last visit. Don’t worry. I’ll finish reading the last Harry Potter book to her.”

“Mom, unlike my goofy sister, I know I don’t need to introduce myself. You know it’s your favorite child. Diana’s right though, mom. You’ve lived a long life full of love and happiness. The doctor says your heart has just gotten weaker the last few weeks. They are throwing around medical mumbo jumbo like idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. I think we both know better. Dad was the love of your life, and your heart hasn’t been the same since he died. Go to him, mom. I’m sure he’s waiting for you. Your story isn’t over yet.”