Love after LOSS

Three women share their heart-warming stories of finding happiness after heartache

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‘It felt like coming home’

Writer Tracy Kuhn, 53, lives in York with her daughter Poppy, 21.

Just getting the train – the ordinary text message I received from my husband Jens in July 2023 turned out to be the last he ever sent. Moments later, he passed out and died of sudden adult death syndrome (SADS).

With him died all the dreams I’d had of our future. When Jens and I married in 2012, I was sure I’d found the person I’d grow old with. We were both divorced, both knew what we wanted and had a great relationship. He was a brilliant stepdad to my girls Laura, now 24, and Poppy.

As I recovered, I built a full life for myself – I had friends, a job I loved and could once again look to the future without fear. But I was clear on one thing: I was done with relationships.

As a writer, one of the ways I explored my grief was through writing and would often get comments and messages on Twitter (now X) from widowed people.

When, in early 2024, Andrew got in touch to say a piece I had written connected with him, I thought nothing of it. Andrew, now 63, was a widower; we started chatting regularly and became friends. But after a little time I did begin to wonder whether we might become more.

In July 2024, he mentioned he was going to the Lake District that October. ‘Why don’t you come?’ he asked. I agreed and we decided to meet up for a drink to get to know each other better first. When we met up at Leeds station, we instantly hugged and it felt like coming home.

At present, we’re in a long-distance relationship. I live in York, where Poppy goes to university; Andrew’s in Liverpool – but we take turns to stay with one another. In a few years, when Poppy has graduated and Andrew has retired, we’ll find somewhere together.