This was supposed to be an episode about going back to work with grief, but it's not. Emily did have to navigate going back to work after her partner Chantel was killed in a hit and run, but this conversation ended up being about love. And loss. And the magical powers of caring for a dog named Indie. It's also about bringing the love you had with a partner who died into a new relationship and what it's like to grow that love with someone else.
We discuss
How Emily and Chantel fell in love
What she remembers about the night Chantel died
The isolation and loneliness of the Covid shutdown so early in her grief
How guilt shows up
Grieving a partner when you’re so young and not married – and other people’s opinions about it all
Navigating the logistics after a death
How being concerned about negative reactions from others hindered Emily’s ability to talk openly about her relationship with Chantel – and how she would do things differently now