I’d like to think I was born blessed—a great life, happy childhood, loving parents, a brother who is my best friend, successful restaurants, a devoted wife, and two baby girls who are my world. But life doesn’t stay perfect. It shifts, tilts, tests your faith, shakes your reasoning, and even makes you question God.

That day I questioned everything.

I questioned what I did wrong. What I could have done to prevent it. But the answer was simple: Never take my blessings for granted ever again.

I glance at Kerry, who tightens her hand around mine, reassuring me it’s okay to continue to bear my soul to her.

I exhale slowly. “I worked too much. I focus too hard and can get lost in my ambitions. You know that, of course.” A sad smile tugs at my lips. “But since you’ve been in my life, I’ve been able to reset, find balance. Prioritize what matters.”

Kerry gently squeezes my hand, her touch warm and encouraging.

“But I wasn’t always able to do that,” I continue, my voice lower now, rougher. “I assumed that while I was out pursuing my dreams, everyone I loved would automatically reap the benefits. That my success meant their happiness. But on the morning of March 12th, it was the exact opposite.”

I pause, staring at the headstones, remembering the day that changed everything..

“The morning started like any other. Tiara was home—taking care of one-year-old Syd, keeping four-year-old Ari entertained, managing my impossible schedule, answering emails I should’ve been handling myself. She was always doing everything because I was always too busy. She needed me that morning. Just like she’d been needing me for months. Just like she’d been trying to tell me. But I wasn’t listening. She was fed up with sending me pictures and videos of our daughters growing up without me. She asked me to come home that day.”

My voice cracks, just slightly. “I told her I couldn’t.”

Kerry’s hand on my thigh stills. She knows where this is going. She knows what’s coming. But she doesn’t rush me. She lets me get there on my own.

I drag a hand down my face, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “So, she decided to surprise me instead. She wanted to bring my world to me.” I shake my head, gripping the back of my neck. “She loaded up the car, packed up the girls, and called my dad to drive because she hated the winding mountain roads.”

I exhale, my breath shaky. “The last thing she said to me that morning was, ‘Please try to be more present for me and the girls. We need you home. We need your love.’” I let out a bitter laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “And I told her I’d call her back after a business call.”