This photo was taken exactly one year ago today....and if you would have told me it was the last road trip, the last time we would see the mountains together, and the last beautiful travel memory we would share, I never would have believed you.

 

At the time it just felt like another adventure together — another drive filled with laughter, comfort, familiar conversations, and that quiet feeling of being exactly where we were supposed to be.

 

I never realized I was living inside a moment that one day would become so priceless to me. Kelly was my perfect travelling companion. We were so comfortable and at ease with everything we did together, and we shared so many of the same likes and dislikes. I would make the plans, and he would simply smile and say, “Okay, let’s do it.” We were easily amused, loved long drives together, and could turn even the simplest moments into memories.

 

We had countless picnics over the years. Even in the middle of winter, we would pack a lunch and head out just to see where the day would take us. Never rushed. Always laughing. Just grateful to spend time together.

 

Looking back now, I realize those ordinary little moments were actually some of the greatest gifts of my life. Death has cheated us out of the future we were building together. We still had so many dreams and plans ahead of us. We worked hard for everything we had and built our life side by side.

 

Some days I truly struggle to understand how to move forward without him.

 

I know the verse in Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you…” and I try to hold onto that.

 

But the truth is, faith can feel hard when your heart breaks daily for what you had, what you were holding onto, and what you still dreamed of becoming together. 

 

Grief is not neat or graceful. It is messy. It is surviving minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.

 

But I also know how incredibly blessed I was to have a love and partnership that made saying goodbye this painful.

 

So if this post encourages anything, maybe it’s simply this: cherish the people you love. Take the drive. Pack the picnic. Laugh at the little things.

 

Tomorrow is never guaranteed, but the memories we create with the people we love stay with us forever.