I remember just like it was yesterday, the moment when the doctors told me that my best friend, the love of my life, the father of my children was gone. I relive that moment every day and how I felt and how I reacted and what came after. The next thing that happened has changed my life in so many ways, for the better, and for that I am forever grateful. I was asked if Nick was an organ donor, if we ever spoke about it or if I would be willing to donate his organs. After talking with our entire family I finally made the decision to go forward with organ donation.

Nick was the most amazing person that I had ever met and he truly was my soul mate. We married in December of 2008 and had our first child the following year. We truly had everything we ever wanted and were so completely in love and I never thought anything would this horrible could happen to us. When Nick passed away our son Brayden was 15 months old and while in the hospital I found out I was pregnant with our second child. At first I didn’t know why this was happening, my husband was fighting for his life and a new life was starting too. It took me a while to realize what an incredible gift Nick left me, another child to love and another part of him.

Our daughter was born just shy of our third wedding anniversary and although it was a very emotional day it was also an extremely special day for our family. I knew all along whether it was a girl or a boy the middle name was going to be Nicholas after Nick. On November 29th, 2011 Brynn Nicholas Bogie was brought into this world and ever since she has just been a ray of sunshine over this dark cloud in our lives. My children saved me when I thought I couldn’t go on and I do believe Nick sent Brynn because he knew I would need all the love in the world.

Choosing to donate Nick’s organs has helped me in so many ways and I have met so many families that have gone through the same tragedy that I have. I feel so honored to know that my husband saved lives and that he is a hero. I tell our children about daddy’s very special gift and how their daddy is a true hero. I have been sharing our story all over Vermont and had the honor of representing The New England Organ Bank at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA this year as a florograph family on the Donate Life Float. Nick always wanted to travel but we never got the chance but this year he did, his picture graced the donate life float that was seen by thousands and I know he was proud.

I miss Nick every day and life will never be the same but a friend gave me this advice, live your life, you are still here, your children are still here and you need to live! So I will live and I will keep our memories close to heart always.