My Journey of Love, Loss and Motherhood

My dear friends,

As I sit down to share this chapter of my life with you, I want to be open and vulnerable because life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, it's a storm - fierce, unforgiving, and relentless in its fury. And in the eye of that storm, I found myself navigating the tumultuous waters of loss, love, and motherhood.

It all began on a sun-drenched day at Misquamicut Beach in August 2020, where I stumbled upon the love of my life, my now-husband. Little did I know, our fleeting encounter would set in motion a series of events that would forever alter the course of my life.

In January 2021, as the promise of new beginnings hung heavy in the air, I discovered I was pregnant with our first child. Filled with hope and anticipation, my husband and I hastily exchanged vows in a simple ceremony at our city hall. It wasn't the fairytale wedding I had always dreamed of, but it was perfect in its imperfection, a testament to the strength of our love.

My stepfather, a guiding light in my life, proudly walked me down the aisle on my wedding day, his presence a source of comfort and reassurance. Little did I know, just months later, tragedy would come knocking at our door with unfathomable force.

On September 6, 2021, my stepfather's life was brutally cut short in a hit-and-run accident, leaving behind a trail of devastation in its wake. The details of his passing are too painful to recount, but the injustice of it all - the senseless loss of a beloved father, husband, and friend - fills me with an anger that burns deep in my soul.

As we grappled with the enormity of our grief, life threw another curveball our way. During my labor and delivery, I was diagnosed with COVID-19, forcing my husband and me into isolation within the confines of the hospital room. In those moments of fear and uncertainty, my husband's unwavering presence was my rock, his love a beacon of hope in the darkness. In the dimness of that room, there was a glimmer of light - the flicker of hope, the promise of new life, and the unwavering strength of a mother's love.

Today, as I watch my precious baby girl run and laugh and play with her younger brother, I am reminded that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty. Even in our deepest pain, there is hope. And even in our greatest loss, there is the indomitable spirit of love - a love that transcends time and space and binds us together in our shared humanity.

With tears in my eyes and love in my heart, Sammy