On August 1st, 2014, Melanie and I tied the knot.

Our relationship would last to February 14th, 2020. It was just past 5 years, an additional year plus from the average marriage in the U.S. (yes, the average is now 4 years!)

Melanie left me, before I ever wanted to leave her. Then over a year later, after COVID and after other events, she couldn’t take it no more. Just over a month after her 37th birthday (May 22nd), she ended her life on June 30th, 2021, 32 days after that was that anniversary.

I will never have a Melanie in my life, no one remotely close.

I love you to the moon and back… Melanie? Oh Melanie?