I fell in love again. Not in a way that replaced my first love, but in a way that reminded me my heart still had the capacity to open, to give, and to receive. I never imagined I’d have another great love story, but here I am, living one.

Starting a new chapter

But grief, while unrelenting at times, also has a strange and beautiful way of shaping us. It invites us, when we’re ready… to begin again. Not by forgetting, but by integrating. Not by “getting over it,” but by honoring what was while still saying yes to what could be.

I began the long, often messy process of healing. I became a certified Grief to Gratitude coach to help others walk this path. I built a grief coaching practice, host a podcast called Weaving Happiness Through Grief, and started sharing my story — because I knew if I was feeling this alone, other widows were too.

After the final goodbye, the silence was deafening. The identity I once knew — wife, partner, planner of a shared future — was suddenly erased. I felt shattered and unsure if joy would ever feel possible again.

I know what it means to lose the love of your life — to watch someone you cherish face a terminal diagnosis, and to be the one who stays strong, present, and loving through every moment… until the final breath. Caring for my husband during his illness was the most sacred, devastating, and profound experience of my life. And when he was gone, I had no idea how I would move forward.

I left California, sold my business, and moved to Australia to begin a new chapter. A beautiful chapter. One filled with joy, purpose, travel, and deep connection. I’m now living a life I never expected, but one I feel so incredibly blessed to experience.

finding joy again