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October 8, 2020: Bobby Russ
Today, I had to pick up my personal belongings from the car. In doing so, I found a pair of Renee's glasses that were in the glove compartment. She had an old set that she kept there just in case she lost the pair she had on normally.

What also made this day interesting is that this is the first birthday since the tragedy. It is odd to celebrate my birthday given that she is gone. My birthday was never per se a "normal" celebration day with her, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't do things for me either. It's not that she forgot it or anything, but we often did things on days other than my birthday to celebrate.

This brings me to a memory... In 2014, Renee and I went on a cruise for my birthday. It would be the first cruise of a few that we went on. We weren't sure what to expect or even if we could handle it, but she wanted to try. Try we did. It was an amazing experience.

She suggested that we swim with the fish in some man made coral reefs using some snorkling masks we bought from Walmart instead of paying extra for a trip planned by Carnaval. It turned out to be beneficial, because the people who had paid extra was told it was cancelled and their money refunded. However, they didn't get a chance to see what me and Renee saw. We had a blast looking under water and seeing the fish. It was something that we both treasured and talked about in the years that would follow.

She was very excited about our room on the ship as well. It wasn't anything glamorous by cruise standards. It was an internal room with no window. However, it was right by the elevators and the stairs going up to the food deck. It made things easier for both of us. It's funny... we would go on the cruise and walk all over the place snacking and enjoying the various activities they had available for us. She would wake up every day looking over things to do. We laughed together at the comedy club, played mini-golf (which she won), soaked in the hot tub and so much more...

I remember on night we were done eating and walked around the ship. We stopped outside to just look out into the view. We had not yet left port at nearly 8 pm. We just stood there talking about everything and nothing all at the same time. It was one of those things with Renee. She would engage you on any topic of interest to you. She stood there smiling enjoying my company. There's something special about it when someone shows their appreciation of company with a smile. I'll never forget it.

As some of you also know, I had a car accident recently. Renee's mom said she had a dream where Renee spoke to her. In the dream, Renee told her that Renee protected me from death, that Renee was proud of me, and that Renee loved me. I do believe that something guided me away from death. Could it have been Renee? I don't know, but I do know that she loved me greatly and I her. Renee, thank you for all of the years and memories.