HOPEFUL HEARTS...LIVING AGAIN AFTER THE LOSS Community Group

We are a group of people who have grieved the loss of a spouse, partner, or lover and are searching for a life without our mate. Some looking for their own identity as an individual or finding a life for themself. Some looking for companionship or a serious relationship with someone new. And some just feeling lost and unsure. We offer encouragement, support and virtual...

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Death & Dying
/ HOPEFUL HEARTS...LIVING AGAIN AFTER THE LOSS Support Group

Another DS Couple tying the knot

wannabebeachbum
wannabebeachbum
I was reading the post about hating to go back to the WW site and, while I, too, find it sad and frustrating to read some of the conversations there, I have to say that I am forever indebted to the DS WW site. Tim and I met there in July of 2010 and last weekend he proposed to me while we were in Vegas for a half marathon. The man who started out as my DS friend and marathon coach from 300 miles away has become the love I will cherish for the rest of my life. If it weren't for DS, I'm certain we would have never met. I never intended to fall in love here, but I'm glad I found a place where I could open up to others facing the same challenges and know that there were always others who completely understood. I migrated to Hopeful Hearts after Tim told me about it and I was surprised to find many of my old WW buddies here. Left behind were those who are steadfast in their opinion that to love again somehow signifies that the relationship with a deceased spouse was less important or that they weren't truly our soulmate---that continuing to suffer brings credibility to the claim that they had met their one true love--end of story. I guess I don't see life as that black and white. I found it so refreshing here to find others who were at least open to the possibility that we might find love again and that in finding love, we could bring our 'better self" into a new relationship. I believe that those we lost and the process of grieving through that loss have made us better partners. I, for one, have found someone who brings me joy every day, who has given me back my real smile (not the ones we paste on to make others think we are doing better than we are), and who I know 'has my back' no matter what life throws at us. I'm grateful to all of you who helped one or both of us through those awful WW days and I pray that when God places love in your life again, you are able to recognize it and willing to take the leap of faith into the next great chapter of your life. Happy Holidays to all of you and may 2012 be memorable for all the right reasons.
CJ
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations and best wishes!!! When do we get cake???.....or a picture of one (and you guys too) would be nice!!!
loveandgrace
loveandgrace
How wonderful is that?! Congratulations to you both, and best wishes for a long and happy life together. It is amazing just how much new love/new life is to be found here! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Amy
deleted_user
deleted_user
CJ,

Congrats to you and Tim. When is the big day? And thanks for reminding all of us that love is not a closed door - the human heart can expand to hold all the love in the world.

Linda
deauxgirl
deauxgirl
What wonderful news. I believe what happens, is always meant to be. The chances are there, if you take a leap of faith. Congratulations and best wishes for the happiness you deserve.

Paula
OnMyOwn2010
OnMyOwn2010
Congratulations to you & Tim...As Linda said, love is not a closed door...unless you close it...
so glad you kept the door open. I pray God's best blessings for the two of now, and always.
~Elizabeth~
verynewgow
verynewgow
CJ, congratulations on your engagement! What a wonderful way to have a marriage proposal made.... at a half Marathon in Vegas!

Funny thing is I had a few friends there myself..... Merry Christmas to you both!
jillieg
jillieg
many congratulations fo you both! Although I came on DS after the beginning of 2011 and never conversed with you or Time, I am so happy to hear about another one of "us" finding new happiness in a new relationship! It always brings a smile to my face when I see the joy that others have found...I know it's out there...! Yes, let them eat cake!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congrats CJ!! Best of luck to my Auburn War Eagle buddy!
prtlycloudy
prtlycloudy
Congrats to you both. How special to have found someone on this site as well as having a passion for running in common. Nothing but the best for both of you, and if there is cake served...remember I am just 1 town away from Tim's town!
Great news and thanks for letting us know that just maybe.....there is still a chance for some of us, even on here! Kate
TimLovesMelissa
TimLovesMelissa
What can I say? I’m in love with my best friend! How cool is that?! Like CJ, I didn’t join DS to find love. I joined because I was searching for a place of support, and boy did I find it. I was truly blown away by the outpouring of encouragement and acceptance. CJ was one of the first to make me feel welcome. I could tell early on that there was something special about her, but I was still early in my grief and knew that she was just a friend. As time went on, it became harder and harder to convince myself of that. A thing that struck me was how much we had in common. We had so many similarities that I had a hard time believing that they were just coincidences. We met in person because of one of those similarities; we were fans of college basketball. Because of her job, she was invited to attend a game, and watch it from a suite in the arena. She had an extra ticket, and invited me. I almost didn’t go. Not from me not wanting to go, but I was having a hard time lining up someone to watch my kids. It was then that I remembered what I have in my status on DS…”Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it, & if it changes your life, let it.” For some reason I knew that this was a chance that I did not want to pass up. At the last moment, I was able to find someone to watch my kids, and I was able to meet CJ. I didn’t fall in love with her at that time, but I do think we became even closer friends. I could go on and on for hours about our story, but there is one other thing I want to share: Our love is the result of our “friendship catching fire.” That phrase was on a card that she had sent me, and it really resonates with me. Good things can happen to good people. You just have to be open to opportunities, and willing to take a risk now and then. Thank you, everyone!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations....and what a wonderful story. I think it is absolutely fantastic.
And I love Tim's status! Great words for all of us to remember.
Good Luck to you both!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations you two! May you have love and happiness each day of your new life together. Warms the heart. Cheers, Cindy xxoo
missulance
missulance
Congratulations to both of you! Very excited for you both. It is so encouraging to come to this site and see that it possible to find love and happiness again. Wishing you all the best.
deleted_user
deleted_user
im so very happy for you, being in love, is the best possible feeling in the world!! Congradulations to you, happiness can be very hard to come by, or it can flow like a river, flowing downstream full speed ahead, without disruption. again, I am so very happy for you.
Your Friend, Dave