Nine years ago, to the day, I met this guy for our first date.

Five years ago, to the day, I married this guy.

Five months ago, to the day, I said my final goodbyes to this guy, thanking him for everything.

If I could do it all over again, I would. Ramón made my life better in countless ways, and he often reminded me how lucky I was to have him. I balked at his remarks, but I knew they were true. Others might view today—and the coming holidays—with sadness for me, knowing things look vastly different. Though it’s true that life is unrecognizable this year, the past nine years (and counting) have affirmed Ramón’s viewpoint: I am pretty dang lucky.

nine years – five years – five months