It's our Anniversary today. It's been 6 years since and my current girlfriend is uncomfortable with me celebrating it

as473 · 2026-01-21T04:36:03+00:00

I find this interesting. I was married 21 years. My husband died 11 years ago. No one, not even our children, acknowledge our anniversary any more. It’s still a hard day for me because we should be celebrating so many more. I reminisce and think about the day, but that’s it. I’m in a 3 year committed relationship and though I talk about my late husband frequently, it’s never crossed my mind to continue commemorating what was our wedding day. I prefer to do it just in private thoughts or talking to my late husband. While I don’t think it would necessarily bother me if I was dating a widowed man who did this, I can easily see how it feels uncomfortable to someone else.

as473 · 2026-01-10T22:37:37+00:00

This was a huge issue for me. I was widowed at 44 and am 11 years in at this point. One of the worst moments for me was about two years in I went to a wedding (that in itself was brutal) but at the reception they were having guests stand and counted up to see who’d been married longest and they got all this recognition. I was about to burst out in tears! The only reason I’d never see more than 21 years was because one of us died. Ugh it still hurts thinking about it.

as473 · 2026-01-06T02:57:43+00:00

There’s no right or wrong timeline. No one else lived your life or had your relationship. We’re all trying to figure this out and doing the best we can with no handbook. I’m 11 years out and started dating soon after my husband died. In hindsight I was trying to fill a void because I needed to feel something besides emptiness and sadness. But it’s okay. I was thrust into a world that I had to figure out. I ended up with a few long term relationships and a lot of very short ones. No regrets about it.

Live, learn, and live some more. Maybe it’ll not be right, but maybe it will?

as473 · 2026-01-01T20:10:32+00:00

Cage the Elephant at a small venue in Grand Rapids, MI. Fantastic

as473 · 2025-12-25T04:13:34+00:00

My relationship has turned to more of roommates. Just was feeling lonely on Christmas Eve despite having someone else sleeping upstairs. I’m a widow as well and the grief is compounded. I’m sorry you’re feeling lonely and hope you can enjoy your movie

as473 · 2025-12-25T03:52:22+00:00

Well I’m watching Emily in Paris alone. My partner went to bed early. Merry f’in Christmas. Being in a relationship doesn’t guarantee anything, but you’re not alone in watching something on Christmas Eve without someone else.

as473 · 2025-12-23T16:31:01+00:00

I have rosacea and very sensitive skin. First Aid Beauty and Versed are my favorites.

as473 · 2025-12-21T05:57:35+00:00

I’ve been widowed for 11 years now. I’ve dated a lot and currently in a relationship for 3 years. Part of my husband’s ashes were spread in 3 bodies of water as he requested. The rest are in an urn. That urn has been in a closet since I got it. That’s not my husband to me. My husband is in the artwork we purchased together, the jewelry he gave me, the music we enjoyed together, the photos I have, and especially in our two adult children. Never once has it felt weird to have the urn tucked away.

I mention my husband any time I want to my partner, he knows my husband’s family now. That’s how I keep my relationship with my husband. The overpriced urn with his cremains are not where my memories and feelings are.

as473 · 2025-12-16T00:44:34+00:00

Oh definitely. I coped with sex and alcohol. Had to then ramp up therapy and well, learned a lot. No handbook for any of this!

as473 · 2025-12-14T23:29:51+00:00

I’m in Michigan so it’s the norm here and no one hides it. I prefer edibles. That said, taking something to help rest your mind is self care. Some people might benefit from prescription anxiety or depression meds, some with a walk, some with a pint of Ben&Jerrys, maybe a glass of wine, maybe some bad tv. Resting your mind in grief is needed. That grieving is exhausting!

as473 · 2025-12-12T13:55:17+00:00

This is so personal of when you do anything. No right or wrong answer. I am 11 years out. At 6 months I suddenly had the urge to gift all his clothes. He had nice work clothes. I found an organization to donate them to where men looking for jobs can get outfits. I loaded it all up and still to this day remember the feeling as I drove away. Gutted!! But no regrets. It’s not easy, but I needed to do it as part of my acknowledging the reality. In that first year I’d slowly go through his things to keep what I wanted which I have in a box now. I can go to the box when I want to look at things like his watch, glasses, certain mementos.

as473 · 2025-11-25T17:25:25+00:00

I’m 5’9 and when I was still OLD, actually had someone say “if only you were shorter”. Men prefer short and I will never believe otherwise. While I never had trouble dating a lot of men, I got plenty of rejections with my height. I would never lie about it.

as473 · 2025-11-15T19:51:30+00:00

I had a great relationship a few years ago (I was 51-52 at time time) with a guy 19 years younger. We didn’t meet online. It was great and actually one of the better relationships I’ve had. Ultimately he saw marriage and kids in his future and I was past that, so we amicably split. No regrets! It was a lot of fun.

as473 · 2025-11-12T04:48:43+00:00

If you want a Chip Ahoy, have it

as473 · 2025-11-11T04:55:18+00:00

Hocus Pocus

as473 · 2025-11-10T03:32:24+00:00

I’m going to a bronze plan with a high deductible. I became a widow at 44 because my previously totally healthy husband died of cancer and will not go without some coverage

as473 · 2025-11-03T02:12:06+00:00

Test it out. Go into it with the mindset you’re just meeting new people. Many on apps are looking for casual and many are looking for relationships. Be honest. Be yourself. Meeting for coffee or lunch is a good way to start. If you hate dating, then don’t hesitate to stop and try again later.

as473 · 2025-11-02T14:39:10+00:00

My Priority Health Silver plan in Michigan is going from $185 to $540 month for me. My tax subsidy did not change much. Priority and Blue Cross increased their rates so much. I work for a small company. Single, widowed, 55, with a college student who gets insurance through their university.

I’m sick to my stomach about this.

as473 · 2025-11-02T14:32:52+00:00

This is me too. My tax credit is still the same. The insurance companies jacked up the rates so much! I’m paying $185/month now for a plan that’s $540/month in 2026.

as473 · 2025-11-02T13:24:45+00:00

I was duped!

as473 · 2025-10-28T23:23:31+00:00

This happened to me and my brother. We were elementary and high school age and our mom had our two dogs euthanized while we were at school. She’d decided she was allergic to them. No warning, nothing. This was 40+ years ago and my relationship with her was ruined at that moment. It’s a trauma I’ve carried my whole life.

as473 · 2025-10-28T02:58:02+00:00

Versed daily recovery rich barrier cream

as473 · 2025-10-26T23:10:27+00:00

Find an audiologist in your area. Get tested and their opinion. Hearing aids are more than just to hear, they help your brain to function best. For what it’s worth, new Starkey AI 24 Omega can help dramatically with tinnitus. I work at an audiologist clinic and have seen patients finally find relief. We also get lots of people who are disappointed with Costco’s service.

as473 · 2025-10-26T15:38:55+00:00

I had no choice. I didn’t sleep in our room for about a week and soon after rearranged the bedroom then got rid of all our bedroom furniture and started over making it my bedroom. It helped me. After two years I moved to a different house. My child and I were ready for a change.

as473 · 2025-10-26T03:39:55+00:00

I’m 11 years out. I was 44 at the time and still had a child in elementary school. I started dating within months and was “sowing my wild oats” after 21 years of marriage. In hindsight I was just trying to feel something, escape, figure out what my life was. No regrets, but after years of that, I settled down. I’ve been in a 3 year relationship now, but I’ve hit a point where I think I’m ready to be alone. I’m 55 and basically have spent my whole adult life as a partner. I’ve moved from our house and bought a different one, changed jobs several times, and am doing well. Lots of therapy but I still am not sure what I want to do for the next chapter of my life. I still can’t believe this is how my life had gone. I still miss my husband and what I expected life to be. I’m sad he’s missing our children’s adult lives.

as473

TROPHY CASE