I’ve always believed love is what you do, not just what you say. I’m Martha, 72, shaped by family, books, and survival. I married Bill at 19, but he died in a factory accident, leaving me with a young daughter, Angela.
I worked as a librarian for 40 years, raising Angela and later my granddaughter, Riley. When Angela died suddenly, I became Riley’s guardian. Riley dreamed of a perfect wedding, but the costs overwhelmed her. I sold my home to fund her dream, only to be excluded from the guest list. Hurt but wise, I reclaimed the funds when the wedding plans fell apart. Riley apologized, and we planned a simple, joyful wedding together. Walking her down the aisle, I realized love means sacrifice, setting boundaries, and second chances.
