Justin’s 36th Memorial Birthday
This year, we spent Justin’s memorial birthday hiking up Provo Canyon. I got to go with another widow I recently met in person, which made the day even more meaningful. I love that we’ve created a tradition of getting outside on his birthday—doing something he loved helps me feel closer to him and makes the day a little easier. See more pictures below.
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Go outside for Justin
Anniversary’s can be really hard after someone has passed away. This is why we decided to make his birthday fun by doing what he loved most. Justin loved the outdoors! He spent all his free time fishing, hiking or climbing. Whenever he was having a hard time he would go to the mountains to recharge. It was his happy place! I now feel closest to him whenever I’m in nature. It just feels like that’s where he would be. Spending the day doing what he loved most has turned into a great tradition and has helped make the day easier to get through.
Purchase Justin’s Outdoor Birthday Shirt
A couple years ago Justin’s sister and I decided to design custom t shirts in honor of Justins love for the outdoors. We thought it would be fun to have t shirts to wear on all our outdoor adventures. Now that we spend Justins birthday doing something outdoors this has made the day even more fun now that we have shirts to wear. This year was the first year we were able to wear the shirts on his birthday. We have a ton of different designs so check them out HERE or if you want to buy some.
This shirt is a fun way to remember him and donate to a cause Justin was passionate about. He loved the outdoors and he would be so happy to see people wearing this shirts on their outdoor adventures. You can read more about my store HERE.
Why celebrate birthdays?
Celebrating the birthdays of people who have passed away serves as a beautiful way to honor their memory and keep their spirit alive. It allows us to gather with loved ones, share stories, and reflect on the impact they had on our lives. By celebrating their birthday, we commemorate their journey, accomplishments, and the joy they brought into our lives. It’s a time to cherish their presence, remember their unique qualities, and find solace in the memories we hold dear. Through these celebrations, we ensure that their legacy lives on, and their influence continues to inspire and touch the lives of others.
It use to be a day that I dreaded, but now I look forward to it. The day is now full of fun outdoor adventures that my boys love. The best part is how all our friends and family join in on this tradition. I feel closer to him when I’m doing what he loved most!
Justin’s 36th Birthday
This year for Justin’s memorial birthday, we spent the day doing something that felt both meaningful and fun—exactly the kind of balance he would’ve loved. I’ve always appreciated that his birthday is in June because it gives us the chance to be outside, in the sun, doing something active and joyful.
We drove up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls, a place that holds so many memories for us. The walk to the waterfall is short, and the boys had the best time splashing in the water and climbing around. Justin and I used to spend so much time up in that canyon—biking, hiking, swimming. He even proposed to me there. So it felt right to go back and be surrounded by the beauty and the memories on his day.
What made this year especially meaningful was sharing it with someone who truly understands. A fellow widow, who recently lost her husband to cancer, joined us for the day. She had reached out, and I immediately felt like this was the perfect person to spend Justin’s birthday with.
There’s a quiet kind of comfort in being with someone who just gets it, without needing to explain. It made the day feel a little more whole and reminded me that even in loss, we don’t have to walk alone. I left feeling a little lighter, a little more connected, and deeply grateful for the healing power of nature, friendship, and shared understanding.
See what we did last year
Last year, for Justin’s 35th memorial birthday, we wanted to do something special, so we rented a Jeep and went off-roading in the Rocky Mountains. Justin and I grew up in Colorado, so being back here for his birthday felt just right. We recently traded our Jeep for a family car, and I had been missing the Jeep life this summer. My sister had the great idea to rent a Jeep and take the boys off-roading for Justin’s birthday.
New Traditions and Rituals after loss
Creating traditions for those anniversaries has made the days much easier to get through. In fact, Justin’s birthday has become a truly enjoyable day. Continue reading