Sulli's Story

It was the end of our junior year. Parker saw me across the lunchroom and told his mom, “I saw Sulli, and I want to marry her.” We got to know each other over the summer, started dating, and got married a couple months after we graduated high school. He was already in the Coast Guard.

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When we found out we were pregnant with Maverick, Parker was ecstatic—so excited to be a dad and so supportive of all my fears. We had Maverick, and about a month later he was stationed in San Diego. We lived near the beach. He surfed. We were doing really well.

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Boot camp was hard for me—the first time we were separated for more than a few days. We couldn’t talk, only write letters. I cried every day he was gone. And now, of course, this season has been the hardest.

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Even so, I have hope. He’s in a better place. He’s happy. I’ll see him again one day. It’s another time of being apart, but we’ll be together again. I can hold on to that.

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It’s hard to lose your favorite person—almost like losing part of yourself. Relearning how to live without him is hard.

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I remember before my first meeting, sitting in the car thinking, “Why am I doing this? I don’t want to sit with other sad women.” But it was a joyful experience. I didn’t even have to say anything—they knew the pain. Erin and Jill amaze me. They’ve walked through this and still help other widows. I hope I can do that one day. It’s inspiring.

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Community matters. We were made for fellowship. One Christmas, Erin brought a small stocking. It was simple and so kind—I felt known and seen. We’re not alone. We have people to guide us.

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Maverick has a whole life ahead of him. I do too. It’s brighter now.