Dee Bryan met her husband, Roger in 1975 where they worked together at the same company. They fell in love, married the following year and went on to have three children and several grandchildren - life was good. “He was a wonderful man in so many ways” Dee says, “he didn’t waste a moment of his life”. Sadly, Roger was diagnosed with IPF in 2016, and their future became time limited, so precious memories were still to be made.
Kefalonia, a beautiful Greek island, was a special holiday destination for them and they visited many times over the years. It was to be the last holiday abroad they had together before Roger died in February 2022, after over 45years of marriage.
Dee tells us:
Kefalonia stole our hearts, and it was a place where we went back to time and time again
Dee returned in May 2023 with one of her sons, and it was a particularly emotional trip. “I still want to always go back … Because Kefalonia was a place full of happy memories.”
“I was able to find some real healing in that trip,” she says. It was important to Dee that she shared with family her wishes for the future. Dee wants, one day, for hers and Roger’s ashes to be scattered in Kefalonia so they can be together again.
When I came back, I felt quite different. I felt a real shift. I can hopefully begin to feel joy again
This Valentine’s Day, Dee will remember Roger with the same powerful love she has always had for him.
Remember and celebrate your loved one with a special APF Red Valentine’s Rose, beautifully crafted in Cornwall from recycled metal. All proceeds from the sale of APF roses will go towards vital support and research for the pulmonary fibrosis community.
Order yours here for £20 (including P&P)