Theo gave a lecture on love, took us on a boat ride (where he dove in to save my mom after she slipped), and even led us on a climbing wall trust exercise.

By the end of the day, my mom—finally letting her guard down—admitted she’d been too controlling because of her own heartbreak. And Theo? He knelt, took my hand, and proposed.

I said yes.

Now, we’re a family—with healthy boundaries, a little humor, and a lot more love. Even Mom found her independence—and a floral swimsuit to prove it.