She remembered the day Yusuf returned from a trip to Hawaii, one he took to spread his wife’s ashes. He not only returned happier, he’d brought back a souvenir that was life-changing… a new relationship.
“So as most of you know,” he started, “when I flew to Maui in 2023, to spread my wife Parris’s ashes, I met someone.”
Everyone nodded.
“And… things have been great since then,” he added. “She’s amazing and is so understanding of my heart and my love for Parris.”
Rylee crossed her legs to lean more in Yusuf’s direction.
“So, this trip we’re going on, which will be the first trip we’ve taken together since Hawaii, isn’t just a trip.”
Rylee’s brows wrinkled as she tilted her head to one side.
“I’m gonna ask her to marry me.”
Everyone in the room gasped or released sounds of enthusiasm.
Rylee’s jaw simply dropped.
“What?!” she whispered, a smile soon tugging her lips up. “Shut up.”
The room erupted in laughter, Yusuf joining in.
He nodded, his face completely brightened by the huge smile now taking residence on his lips. “Yeah.”
All Rylee could do was clap in that moment, and the rest of the group members joined in.
“Thank you.” Yusuf pressed a hand to his chest. “I appreciate you all, sincerely.”
The applause gradually faded.
“This group,” he continued, his hand still to his chest as he closed his eyes briefly. “It really saved me.”
Tears pricked the corners of Rylee’s eyes as she mirrored him, pressing her hand to her chest.
“Honestly?” he chuckled. “I didn’t think love was in the cards for me. I thought Parris was it, and I thought I’d be fine with that, you know?”
The group members replied with nods or verbal agreements.
“But…” He gestured around the room. “You all encouraged me to fulfill her final wish, and I remember being so mad at y’all for that.”
Everyone laughed softly.
“And if I would’ve ignored you all, decided that I wanted to continue to hang on and not honor Parris’s wishes, I don’t think I would have met my girl, Clarke. I don’t think I would feel like life had any meaning or incentive to go on. Because beyond wanting to start a life with her, I just want to keep living. And I hope for anyone else here who was feeling like I was feeling, that you get to here, too.” He nodded. “Not aiming for a new relationship, but just finding that desire to live again.”
His words settled on Rylee’s heart.
This is exactly what she meant when she explained that she healed just as much in their group meetings as they did by simply sharing their stories and experiences.
She was one of those people who had found love again. The only difference is that every time she felt herself moving out of the life of grieving Lennox, it scared her.
Made her feel like she wasn’t honoring his legacy.
The promise she made to him.
That she would wait… until they were together again.
After more group members shared their stories and what they’d been experiencing since the last group meeting, it was time to wrap up.
