A Love Story
Hi. I'm Shayna's Mom.
I'm writing this story because of Shayna. This story would not exist if not for her. This is My love story.
Shayna worried about me being okay.
At the time I was raising three young kids and Shayna's daughter on my own. I had no help or support. Shayna was very ill. Shayna would look at me and tell me how much she loved me. She was so worried about her Mom yet she was the one dying of cancer.
Shayna and I lived our days together struggling with her pain and suffering, but being together. When Shayna passed away I was totally on my own.
Getting through the grieving process was tough. I made it because I had no other choice; I had four other wonderful children to raise and love.
Shayna had been gone 3 years. Our family was doing pretty well by now, but I was lonely. I didn't realize how lonely until I met Will.
But now I also felt guilt to even consider being happy again without Shayna. Only another parent who has lost a child can know how I feel. It is so unnatural to outlive your child.
Will came into my life quite by accident. Or was it an accident? I was on the computer when a pop up ad came on about online dating… "Join for $9.95." I laughed and started to search the profiles. I then made a list of what I wanted in a man.
My friends and I would always joke about prince charming. I always said he would have to come and knock on my door to find me. They tried to convince me it would never happen.
As a dare I paid $9.95 and I joined the internet dating service. Will and I began emailing each other. I wasn't ready to date so I said I wanted to be internet friends only.
We chatted some, emailed occasionally and after 9 months we met. This is where Shayna comes in. When I met Will on a very cold January evening here in Lincoln, I knew immediately that I wanted to know him better. We began chatting everyday online and found getting to know each other so much easier online than in person.
When Will picked me up for our first date, my prince charming knocked on the door for me. We really knew each other from the internet. We were married exactly 51 days after our first meeting on that very cold January evening.
Fast. Yes very. But only Shayna could bring this family together and give it such blessings.
I'm sitting here crying. I had held so much grief in all these years. For the last year I have been able to get out my pain and sadness, with my prince charming by my side.
Will and I have been together for a wonderful, but challenging year.
We have blended together the kids, the cat, and the dog.
We are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together.
Thank you Shayna for making us a family, and giving me another chance for happiness. You are with us every day. We love you and miss you.