I have kept this to myself for a while but I have now decided to share
17mths ago when my husband died, I was completely broken, clawing my way through the pain, heartbreak and despair and wondering how I would get through, the hours, days, months, years ahead of me, no family, children and just a few good friends, I have always remained positive and hopefully but went to some very dark places, clawing my way through looking for just a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
I decided I would either sink or swim so took every opportunity to swim and look for new beginnings to start a new life with just me at the helm.
In June I went on a cruise as after multi bereavements last year I needed a break. This I saw as the start of new beginnings. I was so burdened and wore down with grief I decided to just let go of it all for that 1 week and have fun. Yes it was hard with the shadow of grief hanging over me but something inside of me on that cruise just changed, a new me emerged and then when I least expected it and totally out of the blue… I met someone… . I wasn’t sure what to do or if indeed I could handle or cope with this. Fast forward we are now ‘dating’. He is not my husband, neither is he a replacement for him as that would be impossible but he has shown me there is a life, love, fun, again after bereavement, with kindness, patience and humour we are taking it slowly and not planning anything too far in advance, just living in the moment and getting to know each other and enjoying being in each others company. I never dreamt in a million years this is where I would be at this current moment in time.
I know I have my husbands blessing and approval because love is wanting each others happiness.
It is early days but through this awful journey, I am beginning to find peace, joy and someone to share things with. The fact I find him attractive, have butterflies in my tummy when I see him is just an added bonus. It is a risk but life is nothing without love and my heart is capable of loving again.
I wish you all well on this journey and in your darkest moments, never give up on yoursel
fantastic! allow yourself all the happiness in the world. 
I was married to the most wonderful man for 28 years. He died whilst out running 20 years ago and I was devastated.
4 years later I met the man who eventually became my second husband and nobody was more surprised than me.
He was also widowed. We were married for a blissful 16 years before he also died. That was 11 weeks ago.
I think if you are lucky enough to be given a second chance at happiness you should grab it with both hands.
Good luck, my friend. Xx
Good for you. I hope all goes well. Life is too short not to enjoy what time you have left. Take the time to get to know each other and enjoy yourselves along the way.
Grief effects us all differently. But we owe it to ourselves not to live. That doesn’t mean that the ones we have lost are forgotten. It just means that we are writing a new chapter in our own book
So happy for you, glad you are getting back in to living and have found happiness again. 
Thank you Willow, it’s all new territory isn’t it? and you are a shining example that you can have a 2nd chance at love and why not a 3rd. We all deserve love and happiness and in the right time I hope everyone who has gone through this nightmare finds some in whatever way is right for them xx
Such a lovely story.