Love Beyond Loss: My Husband and the Story of His Late Wife

**This video is a bit heavy. If you have little ones in the room, I recommend that you wait until they are not in the room to watch it.**

Today you will meet my husband for the very first time! He is not a “speaker” – but he is a talker – so I invited him to share his story because he is an example of a man who is STILL STANDING after so much heartache and loss.

There is love beyond loss.

There is a forever love that he holds in his heart for his first wife and mother of his children – Julie – and a new love for me as we begin our second chapter of life together.

But sandwiched in between there is a lot of sorrow.

This video is not about us – it is about his first marriage and late wife, Julie and her tragic death.

I wish we had more time to talk about the backstory because it’s hard to share it all in just 15 minutes. We sat down and did this video in one take and so there are bits and pieces missing but I did not want to make him retell his story over and over to get it “perfect” because as you can see, it is not easy to relive.

And so I invite you to listen below:

(If the video above is not working – CLICK HERE – to view it directly)

If there is one thing I admire about Keith, it is his love and care for his family and his strength to embrace today and trust in the Lord with joy despite so much underlying sorrow.

Julie will always be with us in our hearts and the life she lived is still impacting our lives today. We are grateful for her and honor her memory.

There is life after loss.

Blending a family is harder than it looks in pictures. I am so proud of the children and how they are STILL STANDING after so much loss as well!

An excerpt from the final chapter of Still Standing:

One thing I have learned is that all blended families are born from loss. Moving into a new home together means we are closing the door on their childhood homes and the memories made there with their first families. None of them ever dreamt they’d see For Sale signs in their yards or be a part of a second family. This was the hand they were dealt, and this leads to a lot of hard things that first families do not have to deal with.

Change is hard, and tears are a part of moving forward. My heart breaks for everyone’s losses, but this I can say, by the mercy and grace of God alone, all of the children are thriving despite the enemy’s desire to take them down. I am so proud of them all and the way they have walked through their trials with such strength. It is not an accident that God has planted us all into a second family together. We are all fighters, and I don’t mean with each other. I mean against the enemy.

What Hand Has Life Dealt You?

I know that your life may not be going the way you thought it would. It may feel like this dark valley will never end. It may feel like the battle is raging with no relief in sight. Be assured, God is with you. He is at work even when you cannot see it. This dark valley will end.

Do not be passive with the darkness in your life. I want you to live free. Though you cannot see it now, as you push back the darkness, you are growing stronger than you ever were before. You are going to finish well!

If you are struggling today, PLEASE seek help immediately by telling a friend, calling your pastor or calling a trained professional or counselor. Get help!

Push back the darkness and do not listen to the lies of the enemy. You are loved!

Keep walking with the King,

Courtney