Carpe Gaudium*

Yesterday, was the 7th anniversary of being married to my love. The previous Monday was the 17th anniversary of our first date. I joke that I “test drove” him for 10 years, but the reality is that my mother’s sudden and unexpected death was what shook me out of the determination to never marry again. I’d told H that I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, but I didn’t see the point of tying the knot.

The shock and agony of Mom’s sudden passing made me realize that I was holding on to pa...