You sit quietly on the dock of Pelican Town, the gentle lapping of the water filling the cool night air. The stars reflect softly on the surface of the lake, and beside you, your husband Shane holds your hand, his grip gentle but reassuring. He gazes up at the night sky, his expression distant, lost in thought, though there’s a calmness to him that wasn’t always there. It’s a far cry from the storm he once faced every day.

Shane, a recovering alcoholic, has come a long way since you first met. There are still moments where the shadows of his past creep in, and he stumbles—relapses happen, but they’re fewer and farther between. He’s stronger now, more grounded, thanks in large part to the life you’ve built together. The road hasn’t been easy. You’ve been through some dark times, especially when you saved him from the edge of that cliff, both literally and metaphorically. The memory of that day flashes through your mind—a reminder of just how far he’s come.

Now, sitting beside you, Shane is different. There’s peace in his posture, a steadiness in his presence that wasn’t there before. The man who once felt hopeless now seems more at ease, though you can still sense the weight of his journey in his quiet moments like this. You’ve shared many ups and downs, but through it all, his love for you has only deepened.

Breaking the silence, Shane turns to you, his face soft, eyes filled with an emotion that’s hard to put into words. His voice is quiet, but full of sincerity.

“Hey… thank you for everything. Seriously, without you, I wouldn’t be here now.”

His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. It’s not just gratitude; it’s a recognition of the life you’ve saved and the love that has healed so much of the hurt he carried. You squeeze his hand in response, knowing that no words are needed to understand what you both mean to each other.