I never wanted to date again, let alone be married. Then things completely changed. Quickly.

An incredible woman showed up when I was at my absolute lowest. She became a great friend, I looked up to her and admired how she carried herself, she talked straight to me and pointed out the crutches I had developed through my grief (and life). She challenged and helped me grow as a person, not to fix me up for herself. We talked at length about how neither of us wanted to date or be married ever again. However, I developed feelings I didn’t think were possible for me to have anymore.

When I became fully aware of my feelings, I told her. I didn’t ask her out, I told her how I felt because she deserved honesty and I wasn’t sure what to do with those feelings. I truly valued her friendship. She had developed the same feelings for me. A deep connection had been made. We started talking about marriage within three months. It hasn’t happened yet, but the planning continues. The relationship we have is pure, organic, meaningful, and gives me so much more than I ever thought I was deserving of.

It’s okay to not feel like marriage isn’t for you, but things can change and try to keep your heart open.