Over time, Virginia and I found ourselves talking more deeply—about loss, hope, family, and the ways life redirects us when we least expect it. Nina noticed it before I did, smiling knowingly whenever Virginia and I shared an easy moment. When Virginia and I eventually went on a real date, Nina told me earnestly that she wanted me to be happy again. It was then I realized something important: moving forward doesn’t mean letting go of the past—it means allowing yourself to embrace new joy when it arrives. One small act of kindness on a roadside didn’t just help Ruth. It opened a door I hadn’t known was still waiting for me.