We didn’t have much, but we had each other.

Darren was an auto mechanic, grease on his hands but gentleness in his voice. We married for love. My parents, Patrick and Diana, had warned that love alone doesn’t fill a pantry but gave their blessing. They loved Darren for his honesty. Our home growing up wasn’t fancy, but it was filled with laughter. When I moved out after the wedding, Mom cried softly, Dad hid his tears, and I promised to visit every Sunday.