I think I explained to him that I just didn’t feel ready, that I wanted to figure out how to be a person a little more before bringing someone else into it. Develop my walk with Christ. All the usual talking points. He was understanding. We both cried.

In her I was able to see a woman work through old, deep pain and come out the other side. I saw her walk through grief I thought I would carry with me for the rest of my life. I saw her sisters carry her through it.