Even though Christmas Eve is meant to be lovely, it frequently served as a sad reminder of love gone for me. Three years ago, I offered my coat to a homeless woman whose eyes were so familiar that they made me pause. She came back to my home this Christmas with a gray case and an unforgettable smile.

When we first began dating in high school, she was still the type of person who could make you smile without even trying. Her presence transformed every moment into a treasured memory, and her laugh could instantly make a bad day disappear.

“Remember when you slipped on the ice while trying to impress me?” Her smile made my discomfort worthwhile as she teased.

Hey, I wasn’t knocked down. I would respond, “I purposefully knelt to tie my shoe,” which made her giggle.

Despite the difficulties we faced throughout life, our love remained unbroken as it deepened throughout college and into marriage. The largest one? We were unable to conceive. They tried everything, but it was just not going to work out.