"Dear Caleb"

Dear Caleb,

I woke up this morning and realized that it's been exactly six years since the day you died.

There will always be so many things that I would say to you if I had the chance to go back.

But over these last few years, I've learned to let go of the shame and regret. I've made peace with my past and have realized that I'm human, and flawed, and that I made mistakes. I've learned from them and I know in my heart that you would have forgiven me, and would have wanted me to forgive myself. I know you would've wanted me to be happy.

I want you to know that I've never been happier in my life than I am right now.

Three years ago, Nero and I got married. He isn't the same man he was seven years ago, when you and I first met. He's put the past behind him, is making up for it, every single day. He's become one of the kindest, most honest, compassionate, selfless people I know. Second only, I think, to you.

He makes me very, very happy.

I think that in another life, you two would've gotten along well.

Just over a month ago, I gave birth to our first child. A son. His name is Alexander Giovanni Santino and he is the most precious thing I've ever seen in my life.

Nero is a wonderful husband and father. I want you to know that he takes very good care of me, that he loves me the way you would have wanted me to be loved.

The last couple years, my artwork has been shown in several exhibitions across the country. Half the show contains my earlier works, while the other half contains the pieces that I painted after the assault, when I saw the world in black and grey. The juxtaposition is intriguing and galleries across the country became interested in my story. Ironically, one of the worst experiences of my life is the reason for my enormous success. I know you'd be proud of me.

Your family is doing well. Molly just finished her Masters in Social Work and is working for the BC government now. I meet your mother every couple weeks for coffee and she's been doing great. She and my mom have been a great help with Alex.

Daniel and Natalia are expecting a second child. Their daughter Emilia is two-and-a-half years old and she has the most adorable smile. They don't know the baby's sex yet. They say that if it's a boy, they plan to name him Caleb, after the most incredible man we've ever known.

I don't know if I ever took the time to express my gratitude for having known you. You saw the best in me at a time of my life when I could hardly look at myself in the mirror. So thank you. Thank you for all the love you gave me, that, at the time, I believed I didn't deserve.

You are and always will be one of my favourite people.

Love you always,

Rosalyn

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A/N:

Something a little different. The idea came to me and I couldn't let it go. You know me: yeah, I cried.

XOXO Ami

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