Amber thought she would never love again, but then she met Steve.
Amber was ready to give up on love. But one night, while she was having a modest barbecue in the yard, she ran across Steve, an old friend of her father’s. That made everything different. Their relationship got stronger and stronger very rapidly. A few months later, they got married. Amber learned a harsh reality about love and Steve on her wedding night that made her feel differently about both of them.
How It All Started
Amber never thought that a picnic in her dad’s yard would transform her life. When she got home from work, she was exhausted and ready to sleep. She heard people laughing and smelled barbecue instead. Some of her dad’s coworkers from the automotive industry had come to visit.
Steve was a tall, nice guy who was different from the rest. He had been friends with her dad for a long time. Amber sensed right soon that something was awry. Steve was friendly, calm, and easy to chat to. They spoke for a bit before deciding when to have dinner.
That one meeting led to a lot of them. They rapidly began to spend a lot of time together. They instantly fell in love with each other.
Six months after they met, Amber was back in her childhood room, wearing her wedding dress. There were a lot of feelings at the modest event. She felt like her life had significance and a purpose for the first time in years. She was going to marry someone who really cared about her.
Amber changed into something more comfortable and headed back to their bedroom that night after the wedding. What she saw made her stop in her tracks.
Steve was sitting on the bed with his back to her. He was talking quietly, like if he were talking to someone else.
“I wish you could see this, Stace.” It was a great day. I really want you to come.
He talked softly and with a lot of feeling. Amber was scared and didn’t know what to do.
“Steve?” she murmured in a low voice.
He gently turned around. His face looked sorrowful and embarrassed. After that, he told everything.
The truth comes out.
Steve told Amber that his daughter Stacy and her mom had died in a vehicle crash. Since that terrible day, he had only talked to Stacy a few times, mostly about huge things like their wedding. It made him feel closer to her.
Amber was both startled and heartbroken. She knew Steve had a daughter, but she didn’t know how much suffering he was still in. She didn’t draw away; instead, she sat next to him and clasped his hand.
She whispered softly, “You’re not crazy.” “You feel sorry. You don’t have to do it by yourself anymore.
What she said made me feel better. Steve said he had thought about obtaining treatment but didn’t sure how to go about it. Everyone agreed that it was time. Amber would be there for him as he began treatment and dealt with his loss.
Going Forward Together
It was hard. Amber helped Steve go through the process of going to therapy. They built a house full of love, patience, and understanding. Stacy’s memory never went away, but over time it became a treasured part of their tale instead of a burden.
Amber learned that love doesn’t entail being perfect. It’s about being there for each other, even when things are hard. It’s about getting better together.
Steve stared at her and added, “One night, when they were sitting close together on the couch,”
“I never thought I’d be whole again.”
Amber realized then that she had found a love that was real, strong, and full of hope.