Never Have Too Much Love

When Jared died, I swore I would never date again. Never love again. Never let someone else parent my child.  Well, how things have changed. 26 months after Jared died, he sent me an incredible man. A man who loves me and my crazy widow life. A man who understands that a heart expands to find new love. So last December we decided to officially start dating. There goes that first never. A few months later I was head over heels. There goes that second never. And now we are planning our future. Discussing how to raise our children. Did you hear that last never just fall away?

But none of these decisions were easy. And I didn't make any of them lightly. Steven is always and will always be at the forefront of my mind when I make these kinds of decisions. I worried if anyone could love him like their own. Especially if that person had children, could they love Steven the way they love their child or would there always be a difference between our children? I can honestly say Steven is blessed to have a man in his life who loves him like his own.  Who will treat him like his own.

Yet, Jon does not know the stories of Steven's first 12 years. He can't share in the memories of his first words, his first steps, his first day at school. Those are memories that I share with his dad. And that makes me sad. Makes me sad that the parent that shares those memories with me is no longer here. And can no longer share those times, those memories, those stories with Steven. Yes, Jon loves Steven, no doubt about that. And we are going to make many new memories. Have many news stories to share. But that doesn't take away that his dad is gone. That Jared won't be there to share in our new memories. To take new adventures with Steven.  To teach him all the things a boy learns from his dad.  His dad in heaven will always be watching over him. Always. Jared will always be missed. We will always say I wish Jared was here.  

But now Steven will have Jon to support him, guide him, and teach him.  And bonus, he's getting a big sister. Our two only children will now have a sibling. And yes, we know, that's going to be interesting!  And it's going to take a lot of work. And a lot of time. Blended families don't happen overnight. But with work, communication, respect, and most importantly time, we are hopeful that we will be successful.

8 months ago, I learned to never say never.  And since that time, my world has grown.  I have learned love shared is multiplied.  That my heart can expand to love more than one great man and more than one child.  That my past will always be connected to my future.  That letting someone new love into your life allows your child to learn how much love the heart can hold.  Yes, I had worries about sharing my child with someone new. But when that someone new opens their heart to love you, your child, and your dead husband nothing but good can come from that.   And now I know that we can never have too much love.