I knew as soon as Rogan proposed, that I wanted Bruce to walk me down the aisle. When I asked Bruce, he stuttered over his words until mom jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow to snap him out of his speechlessness, before nodding his acceptance at my request. He pulled me into a loose, one arm hug, and grunted something about being proud of me and loving me like a daughter. I had to bite back the tears that threatened to spill over his confession, luckily mom knows how much I hate crying anymore so she changed the subject to food and a cookout and all was once again right with our world.
The day Cass died, a small piece of me died with her. My life changed in ways I didn’t understand at the time, barely understand now, but everything I went through has made me a stronger person. I miss her every day, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to miss her so long as I don’t get lost in the grief.
I’d once commented that I had a stalker who had stolen everything that meant anything to me, from me. As it would turn out, I had stolen it from myself. The funny thing about things that are stolen, though, is that they can be returned. I have my life back. I may not have Cass, but I have my Rogan, mom, my friends, and Bruce. I have more love than I know what to do with, and for that I will always take deep breaths and thank the Cosmos.
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