Because of Emily
A Grief Blog Centered Around Stories of Love and Loss
Sharing Emily, One Story at a Time
Welcome to Because of Emily, a grief blog where love and loss intertwine. Here, I share stories of my love, Emily—her life, her legacy, and how she inspires me even after her death.
Emily had big dreams for the future, dreams to make the world a better place. While she only completed a small number of these goals, I believe that sharing my grief journey with others can help her continue to change the world, even in death.
I hope that sharing my story helps others recognize the complexities of grief and embrace life wholeheartedly, just the way Emily did.
"Live a Wholehearted Life"
These were the words Emily lived by from the moment she received a life-changing heart transplant on December 23, 2017 until she died almost five years later. She felt a profound calling to make the most of her life and maintain her donor’s legacy. Now, I am doing the same, keeping both Emily (and her donor) alive through the stories I share and the actions I take to make this world a better place.
Recent Reflections
Because You Can’t Strip Away Love
Last night, I attended my church's Maundy Thursday service. This particular service was a first for me, and although I expected it to be a somber event given its focus, I did not anticipate the waves of emotions I experienced multiple times throughout. Each part of...
Because It Would Have Been The Perfect Day
Today is Saturday, March 23, 2024. It's finally here: the day that would have been our wedding day. It's a day I started dreaming about within the first two months of Emily and I "leveling up" to couple status. And, it's a day Emily likely dreamed about from childhood...
Because I Believed in Fairy Tales
In the sixteen months since Emily died, I've maintained a fairly busy life between a full-time job and several freelance clients. Unfortunately, this means that there's usually one night each week where I just need to relax. To make it interesting for the kids, I've...
Because Forgiveness Never Comes Easily
Back in January, I went to Chattanooga with Rebecca. It was the first trip I've taken with a romantic partner since Emily's death, which I thought would be weird. For the most part, though, it ended up being a lot of fun. On Saturday evening, we cooked at our Airbnb,...
Because No Relationship Is Perfect
Loss is a funny thing. When someone dies, they disappear. Yet, at the same time, the relationships we developed during the person's lifetime continue to exist, almost like fossils that outlive the flesh. What gets a lot of us into trouble, however, is the way in which...
Because She Loved Snow Days
This has been a wild weather week for all of us here in Tennessee. Most of us saw at least 5 inches of snow fall Sunday and Monday, but it hasn't melted yet. The last time I remember us getting this much snow was 2021 — a much different time in my life. However, one...