The Way He Loves

Another Story by Melissa

One of the things I've loved most while putting together this website is hearing everyone's stories.

I've listened to stories from family, friends, neighbours, coworkers, and people whose lives crossed paths with Dad's in ways big and small. But some of my favourite stories have come from the women who loved him.

My mom tells stories about their twenty-plus years together, and every story seems to start the same way—with laughter.

Stories about working together, building a life together, family gatherings, adventures, and all the silly times that comes with falling in love at 18 and growing middle aged together. Through every story, there is one thing that shines through: they genuinely enjoyed each other. The older I get, the more I realize how special that is.

Years later, when Sheryl came into Dad's life, I got to watch him fall in love!

I still remember Christmas when he first started talking to her. He was like a teenager with a crush, while being in the body of a grown-ass man, and somehow completely smitten.

He talked about her constantly.

He smiled differently.

He carried himself differently.

He was happy.

I remember when he showed me the ring he wanted to propose with. He wasn't asking if it was expensive enough or flashy enough. What mattered most to him was making sure I liked Sheryl and thought she was a good person.

That's Dad.

Even in one of the happiest moments of his life, he was still thinking about everyone else.

Over the years, I watched the two of them build a beautiful life together.

They travelled.

They went to concerts.

They created memories.

They laughed.

They supported one another through some incredibly difficult chapters. And through it all, they remained deeply in love.

Dad would do absolutely anything for Sheryl. And the beautiful thing is, she has done the same for him.

Sheryl brought out another side of my dad. She encouraged him to enjoy life, to have adventures, to make memories, and to embrace every moment they have together.

What I saw wasn't just a happy marriage. I saw a partnership.

A friendship.

A team.

I saw two people who chose each other every day.

As a daughter, one of the greatest gifts Dad ever gave me was showing me what a good husband looks like.

He showed me that love is not about grand gestures.

It's about showing up.

It's about loyalty.

It's about support.

It's about making your person laugh.

It's about being there during the hard days and celebrating the good ones.

It's about choosing each other again and again.

Dad spent his life taking care of people.

His family.

His friends.

His neighbours.

His wife.

Me.

No matter what was happening in his own life, he always finds a way to make sure the people he loves are okay.

That is one of his greatest gifts.