Hearing my daughters, Mia, three, and Vaila, two, squeal with delight as their father, Michael, 40, chases them around our garden, my heart soars. This was the life I always wanted – a home filled with love and laughter. But, though I adore Michael and my girls, there will always be part of my heart that belongs to my late husband, David.
David and I were childhood sweethearts. Wemet at the Orkney County Show during August 2003 – he was 16 and I was 17 – and if his cheeky smile and dreamy brown eyes weren’t enough to win me over, he also came from a similar farming background to me. When he joined my sixth form that September, we spent every moment together, and I truly believed we’d grow old hand in hand.
We spent a few years forging our own career paths, me working in hospitality, and David on his family farm, stealing moments when we could, but the time we spent apart only strengthened our love and dedication. Then, on Friday 13 June 2008, we married at St Magnus Cathedral. While our choice in date gave some people pause, we simply didn’t care. We weren’t superstitious and only wanted to start our future together.
Naturally, we discussed having a family. David and I both wanted kids, but as I was only 22 figured we had plenty of time. Only, before we had any exciting news to share, David fell ill.
It started with night sweats that November, but then he lost his appetite and his weight plummeted. Initially, doctors suspected a virus, but David continued to get worse, until he went to Balfour Hospital A&E with agonising stomach pains. By the time I got away from the care home where I worked, David was being transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, so we knew it was serious.
Denne historien er fra July 27, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra July 27, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.