Two years after Mark’s death, I entered our garage for the first time, overwhelmed by memories of our sixteen years together. The space, filled with unfinished projects, held the weight of our shared life. Grief had kept me away, but now, I was ready to face it and sort through the remnants of our past.

As I sifted through his things, memories flooded back—his laughter, his projects, and his dreams for a future we never got to have. Finding his journals, I was struck by his hope to become a father, a dream that would never come true. Despite the pain, I found peace in knowing he left a part of himself in everything.

I discovered a wooden box Mark had made, filled with cherished mementos, including a ticket stub from a concert we attended. Holding it in my hand, I realized that Mark’s love and memory would always be with me.

When I closed the garage door, I felt a sense of closure. I wasn’t letting go of him; I was finding a way to move forward, carrying his love and dreams in my heart.