My Dearest Husband,

Thank you for the 20 beautiful years we shared. Every day with you was a gift. Together, we were a force, and our love was a rare kind of magic. You were my safe haven, and my greatest adventure. Through thick and thin, in work and in life, we were “What a team!”—I still hear you.

Who would have thought that the “simple academic” in his knitted purple sweater—never much of a dapper dresser—would sweep me off my feet? Getting you to wear a tie for interviews with the media was an uphill battle, every. single. time. But you made me pack my life into seven suitcases to fly into this adventure with you. “What for, if not for love” was my mantra then, and it still is.

I couldn’t even fry an egg when I met you, and yet you welcomed my first attempts with a playful smirk and endless patience. You always saw potential in people before they did themselves, especially in me. You turned me into a moderately skilled sailor, a decent cook, a frequent flyer with Air Canada, and helped me completely reinvent myself. We talked for hours every day. Sometimes I wondered if our love would ever fade, but it never did.

You poured your heart into everything—your career, our life together, the people you cared about, staying fit and healthy. Keeping up with you was always an adventure—whether I was rescuing you climbing up the mast of your sailboat, pulling you off the roof at home cleaning the gutters, or stopping you from accepting another ‘request’! You never slowed down. “A rolling stone gathers no moss,” you’d say, only finally resting when that big heart of yours needed a break.

Our bond was extraordinary. It wasn’t just about being together – it was about growing together, inspiring each other to give our best, and loving with a depth that few are fortunate enough to experience. You made me stronger, braver, and happier than I ever believed I could be. Now that you are gone, I will carry your love with me, always. Your faith in me will guide me to be the woman you always saw me as, moving forward with courage, embracing whatever comes next.

I wish we had more years together, but we always knew your heart didn’t have the strongest genes. Perhaps that made our love even fiercer? We never took a single day for granted, living with gratitude and a love that was both soulful and fully present in every moment.

You were my inspiration, my confidant, my editor, my brilliant, adorable, and utterly gorgeous husband. My prince, thank you for everything—for letting me see the world through your eyes and for loving me so beautifully.

I loved you to the moon and back. Now, my love for you transcends time and extends into eternity.

Forever Yours, Heidi