Cooking Her Favorite Meal Without Her Broke Me 💔
A year ago, my wife and I spent a Sunday afternoon in the kitchen. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow through the window as we chopped, stirred, and laughed together. We decided to make our favorite dish: shrimp with linguine and a creamy white wine sauce. It was a simple meal, but it always brought us joy. The recipe had become a tradition, something we had perfected over the years. I can still remember the sound of her laughter, the way she would sprinkle parsley on top and wink at me.
We even snapped a photo that day, both of us smiling like we had all the time in the world. Little did I know, the very next day would be the last time I’d see her smile. She passed away unexpectedly, and the world felt like it stopped spinning.
Today, I found myself alone in the kitchen, staring at the same ingredients, wondering if I could recreate the meal we once made together. I could still picture her standing beside me, her hands busy, guiding me through the steps. I thought maybe cooking it again would bring me some comfort, some sense of connection. But halfway through, I found myself standing there, a spoon in my hand, tears streaming down my face. It wasn’t just the meal. It was the empty space where she used to be, the laughter that used to fill the air, the quiet moments of shared joy.
I wanted so badly to share it with her one last time. She would’ve loved it. She would’ve teased me about not getting the sauce quite right, but she would’ve still smiled and said it was perfect. And I’d have laughed, because that’s what we did—we made the small moments big.
But life doesn’t give us that kind of time. It takes from us when we least expect it.
So today, as I wiped away my tears, I realized something important: cherish every moment with the people you love. Don’t wait for tomorrow to show them how much they mean to you. You never know when it might be the last time you get to share something as simple as a meal or a laugh or even a moment of silence.
Love fully. Live fully. And always hold onto the memories, because they are the things that will carry you when the world feels a little emptier.