Why Didn't He Make It Home

The love of my life died on his way back from work

- Danielle Whitfield/Jenny Stallard

My man Ryan wasn’t the big romantic hearts and flowers type.

Much more about the quiet gestures. Like when he made a pizza for me from scratch.

Stuffed crust and everything!

That was for Valentine's’s Day last year.

We’d met online four months earlier.

I was a single mum to Luke, now 8, Tammy- Jane, 5, and Leyla, 3.

Did I need to bring a man into their lives?

Well, I was lonely sometimes. Why not try and find a companion, go on a nice date or two?

So we went for an Italian meal. It was love at first sight.

Still, we took it slowly. Got to know each other properly.

And a few weeks on…

‘Would you make me the happiest man alive...’ he started.

What?! Not a proposal!

‘And be my girlfriend?’ he finished.

Of course!

But that Valentine’s, he did propose – down on one knee.

‘How’s your pizza? Will you marry me?’

Simple as that.

‘Yes!’ I said straightaway. We started planning but we weren’t made of money, him working in a warehouse and me a full-time mum.

‘Let’s keep it initiate,’ we agreed, booking a register office for 10 April this year.

I chose an evening-style gown, something glam and special.

All that matters is me and him and the kids, I thought.

Then, last November, there was something else to think about, too...

‘I’m pregnant!’ I told Ryan.

A shock. I waited for his reaction.

He jumped around the room!