Many of you may be wondering why it has taken me so long to make an entry on Caring Bridge. Suffice it to say that this is the most impossibly tragic and devastating event of my life. Usually I am quite willing to share my sentiments and lament in writing, but this has been an extraordinarily difficult task for me to complete. So here goes...

18 Years and 2 months ago I met the most beautiful woman. I was quickly smitten and 8 incredible months later, on August 11, 2000, (my birthday), we were wed. It was the happiest day of my life. For the better part of my adult life I was not sure what my purpose on this planet was, having experienced the tragic death of my sister when I was 11. 24 years later I met Nancy, and that "why am I here" question was answered. I was here to meet this amazing woman who completed me. She was perfect. Annie Schmidt, if you happen to read this, you were right! (Annie set us up on a fateful blind date and I will be forever grateful).

I remember going through marriage counseling, (neither of us thought we were making a mistake, but we wanted to be absolutely certain), and our answers, scores, etc.. matched perfectly. It was fate. She was definitely “the one”.

A couple years later in 2002 we had Malia, beautiful, amazing Malia and more of the mystery was solved. 2004 brought us the greatest blessing of all, our second daughter, Olivia. I remember feeling so whole, so happy, so fulfilled, so grateful, so in love with our life and my wife for bringing me such joy, and these two precious treasures. I remember feeling like nothing else mattered but my girls. Soon thereafter we adopted a dog, Maisy, another female. I was in heaven..me, 3 gorgeous girls and a female dog.

Life continued pretty much on course for a long time. Trips to Florida, New York, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and others sprinkled the timeline, each one filled with beautiful memories. Traditions were built and sustained, including weekly Saturday or Sunday dinners, Christmas and Thanksgiving family get togethers, Halloween, Valentines Day flowers, and breakfast in bed for Mother's Day to name a few.

Reflecting back on those memories, those traditions, and my two beautiful girls is all I have now. Every day I look for Nancy, like so many of you do, waiting for the phone call, the text message, the FaceTime, the email, the unexpected visit, or the smell of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Nancy's Father described Nancy as a gift. She was unequivocally the best gift I could, or will ever, receive. She was the consummate wife, Mother, aunt, daughter, niece, teacher, sister, sister-in-law, and friend. She was extraordinary. Her kindred disposition and beautiful smile positively influenced everyone she met and I loved her deeply, unconditionally, with all my heart.

It is difficult to see my way forward without the woman I adore, but I take solace in knowing that all of you feel the same. That you love her as I do. That you miss her every minute of every day, and that my sorrow and grief walks with so many who cared so deeply for her.

I am so lucky to have shared 18+ years of my life with Nancy. The gifts she bestowed on me and our family are abundantly clear. We were blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Malia and Olivia. Although our lives are irreparably changed, together we will carry out Nancy's destiny by making her proud in all we do, her energy and passion for life our panacea. I love you Nancine and miss you so terribly. You are infinitely and forever in my heart.

Lastly, I want you to know how sincerely grateful I am for each and every one of you for the generosity of your time, compassion, contributions, thoughts and prayers, cards, and overwhelming love and support for our family. My arms cannot stretch wide enough to embrace you all with the love I feel for all of you. It has been, and continues to be, remarkable and so appreciated, thank you.

Michael