What I found in an old photograph took me straight back to a love I had thought I’d left behind decades ago, a love frozen in memory, tucked neatly into a drawer of my past.

I never imagined a slow evening on the couch would open a door I thought had long been closed. My name is Susan. I’m 67, and here is my story.

Buckle up—it’s a journey through memory, time, and unexpected reunion.

Life After Nursing

I spent over forty years as a nurse. Those years taught me patience, resilience, and the quiet satisfaction of helping others, but they also left me used to long hours, emotional strain, and exhaustion.help out whenever I can—watching the kids after school, assisting with bills when the month is tight, and keeping the household running smoothly so Megan can breathe.

I don’t complain. They are my family, and they’ve given me more joy than anything else in my life. But even with this, my life is quieter now. Steady. Predictable.

I know the rhythm of my days. Early mornings start with a cup of strong coffee before the kids wake, grocery trips punctuate mid-mornings, and afternoons are often filled with cartoons, homework help, and occasional short shifts at the hospital.

My nights are usually quiet, spent either watching television shows I’ve seen dozens of times or reading a book if I can keep my eyes open long enough.

I haven’t sought romantic companionship since my husband and I separated years ago.

Life after that was a slow, steady rebuilding, punctuated by family, work, and the occasional quiet moment of self-reflection.

I thought I had moved on, that all the old feelings were behind me. And for the most part, they were—until that night.

The Facebook Post That Shook Me

It was just before Christmas. I’d finished my last hospital shift before the holiday, working the cardiac wing, standing for hours on end until my feet ached and my back throbbed from cramping muscles that never seemed to recover fully anymore.

I arrived home around 9 p.m., longing only for comfort and rest.

After reheating some leftover meatloaf and pouring myself a cup of herbal tea, I sank into the couch.