From Fairy Tale to Despair to Loving Again - My Life with Michael and Ryan by Rebecca Reilly
In this emotional yet uplifting episode of Stolen Goodbyes, host Karen Rice speaks with Rebecca Reilly from New Jersey, who shares her remarkable journey of love, loss, and finding hope again after unimaginable tragedy.
Rebecca lost her “rough tough cream puff” husband Michael, a devoted father of two, to COVID-19, in December 2020. Just 47 years old, Michael fell ill and tragically passed away within 24 hours of showing symptoms. Rebecca opens up about the overwhelming grief of losing her best friend so suddenly and the crushing realisation that their shared future was gone.
She bravely discusses the PTSD that continues to haunt her—flashbacks of the frantic hospital dash to be by Michael’s side before he breathed his last, and the helplessness of not being able to save him.
Four months later, in one of her darkest moments, Rebecca made the choice to celebrate what would have been their wedding anniversary, a poignant decision that led to an unexpected encounter with her now-partner, Ryan.
In a candid conversation, Rebecca and Ryan talk about the ups and downs of their relationship and the challenges of navigating grief while opening up to new love. Despite the skeptics, they're still together, thanks to their ability to listen to one another and open communication.
Rebecca shares her joy: “I get to be in love with the two most amazing men in the world.” Ryan describes their bond as "my best relationship to date—I love raising her babies and looking after her.”
This episode is a powerful testament to the human spirit: how love can persist, evolve, and reappear in the most surprising ways, even after profound loss.
Tune in to hear Rebecca’s story of resilience, the complexities of love after loss, and the beauty of finding light in the darkest moments.
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