In the weeks that followed, Dan kept his promise. He made more space for us—small walks after dinner, late-night conversations, and laughter that slowly returned to our home. And then came another surprise: Mom began dating a man from her gardening club. Seeing her so radiant and hopeful again reminded us that love doesn’t fade with age—it grows when nurtured.
That near-miss at my mom’s house could have shattered everything. Instead, it healed more than just her back—it brought Dan and me back to each other. Love, I realized, isn’t about big surprises. It’s in the quiet choices, the daily effort, and the decision to stay when it matters most
