My first husband, Daniel, had passed away, leaving me to raise our daughter, Anna, alone.

Anna was everything to me.

For years, my life revolved around her.

So when Rick entered my life, I was terrified.

Not because I didn’t like him.

Quite the opposite.

I liked him more than I wanted to admit.

Rick was a high school teacher—quiet, thoughtful, and patient. He listened when I talked, remembered small things, and never tried to rush me.

We dated quietly for months.

One of my biggest fears was Anna.

I worried she would think I was trying to replace her father.

I worried she would feel betrayed.

I worried that bringing another man into our home would make her believe I was erasing the life she had known with Daniel.

But when I finally introduced them, Anna surprised me.

She liked Rick.

Actually, they genuinely liked each other.

Rick helped her prepare for college interviews. He listened to her practice answers and gave advice when she was nervous.