When I was a young and crazy 18-year old I married Rick. I always regretted not taking Dad with us when we ran eloped. I met Dad about three days after we eloped. At the time I weighed in at 100lbs and short – Dad came out of the restaurant and all I saw was a pair of powerful arms that enveloped me. Dad hugged me tight, I can still smell his Old Spice. Dad looked over to Rick and said “Hey Rick, don't you think you should put some weight on her...a good wind comes along and she'll be gone.”

Why I was nervous about meeting Darleen seven months later, I don't know. There was nothing hidden about Darleen, what you saw is what you got. She found out I liked to shop and at first she thought that because I was from California that all I wanted was to go to the mall. I quickly changed her mind on that idea. I may be a California native but I grew up in the country and I'm a garage and sale junkie.

Her Eyes lit up really quick when she heard that. Turns out I'm not as good a shopper as I thought I was...she could out-shop anyone and I mean anyone! When we got together we started our own little shopping tradition “Our Day”.

We would start of Our Day at Shipshewana's flea market but on the way we'd stop any yard or garage sales. On the way home we'd hit the outlet stores then Walmart and anything else that struck our fancy.

For the last eleven years we looked forward to Our Day and through the years Darleen became my biggest supporter especially when I decided to become a sign language interpreter. Last summer, trouble with the instructors made me want to quit this challenge. One day while driving with Darleen I casually mentioned my decision to her. She stopped the car, looked at me and told me how proud she was of me and how disappointed she would be that I'd thrown away almost 4 years of hard work. I decided to rethink my decision

I was truly privileged to know Darleen. She was great and down to earth. She loved her grandkids and her family was important. Not a day goes by that I don't sit an cry that she was taken from us.

Dad was funny. When he found out that we had decided to name our fist son Terry he was over the top. Terry the proud grandfather. You would have thought that he was to one that did all the work.

Terry was proud of my husband Rick and of the boys. He always let us know how much he loved us. People told us later that when he knew we were coming he would brag to anyone that would listen that his boy was coming to visit from California. He demonstrated his pride in his children and family in everything he did and I was proud to have know him.

Last year he told us that he was proud of where we were in our lives and that he was glad that he had gotten to spend these last few years with us.

Terry was a neat man. He'd made some mistakes in his life but had made a relationship with his children – including those of us he didn't raise.

He was also a stinker in many ways and would never pass up a chance to tease you. Especially if he liked you.

Terry, Darleen, I Love You! I'm hurting in my chest holding back the tears.