Love Never Fails

The Ritual

Each evening of February 18, I follow the same ritual ...

At about 9:30 pm, I put on music by the Celtic artist Enya.

While listening to the music, I select some of our old love letters — I still have them all — and begin reading some of the ones written by Suzanne.

At about 9:55, I light the little votive candle shown in the first photo to the left, turn out all the lights in the house so that only the light of the candle illuminates the room, and put on Enya's song "Shepherd Moons", the song that concluded the tribute video at Suzanne's memorial service. Its haunting melody revives the grief I felt at her passing.

At 9:58 (when Suzanne passed from this life), I pray until the grief and tears have subsided.

On the inside of my wedding ring, Suzanne had inscribed the words "Love Never Fails", taken from scripture at 1 Corinthians 13:8. This was the motto of our life together, and it continues to express my love for Suzanne.