It was the summer of 2009 and was living with the love of my life.

She was having some stomach pains. The doctors kept telling her it was just constipation, but sent her for a scan just in case, most likely diverticulitis.

It was Christmas time so we headed interstate to visit her mum and family. On New Year’s Eve we needed to take her to hospital because of pain. Two days later we were told its Stage 4 bowel cancer. Not a happy New Years for her at age 29.

She fought so bravely but passed away at 32.

I’m bad at growing facial hair but I participate each year in a hope that one day stories like mine will be history.