We bought a large blue scrapbook and began filling it with photographs, handwritten notes, holiday tickets, and stories about our family. Brad enjoyed looking through the pages, especially the photographs from our wedding. Sometimes he remembered every detail, and other times he needed me to explain who was standing beside us. We also started recording short videos for the future, sharing stories about our favorite places and the little traditions that had made our marriage special.

One evening, while organizing the photographs, Brad discovered the note I had placed beneath his coffee mug. He read it carefully and looked at me with tears in his eyes. He apologized for making me feel unwanted and explained that he had been withdrawing because he was frightened. I told him I hadn’t needed a perfect husband. I had needed an honest partner. He promised that we would never again allow fear to become a wall between us.