My name is Amanda Junk. I am technically called a widow because people don’t know what to call me otherwise. Joe and I were perfect together. We only dated for a short time but we knew that we would be together forever. We had our future planned and kids' names picked out. We met at a friend’s birthday party in the winter on 2005 and didn’t leave each other’s sides since.

He worked as a chef, and I was a restaurant manager at the time of our meeting. We had so much in common, such as cooking, playing euchre, movies, and sports. We were both very social people with multiple groups of friends. We were surprised that we hadn’t meet earlier in our lives because we knew all the same people in different cities. This is how we first started talking.

He was a nice country boy from Wisconsin which my father liked about him. He was the most respectful man I had ever meet besides my father. I loved everything about him, even his flaws.

The morning of June 7th was sunny and beautiful. I was excited for the summer to get started. I had to get to work early that morning. That is when I received the phone call from a close friend, and Joe’s roommate, that Joe had passed away. I was devastated and in disbelief.

He had died throughout the night of a heart attack which he then aspirated. The medical staff said there was nothing anyone could have done to save him. It happened too quickly. The last time I spoke to Joe was Monday, June 6th. His roommate and him spent the night watching football and playing video games. I called him at 9:00pm after work to say hi. He was laughing and joking around with me. Before we hung up the phone we both said that we loved each other. That was the last time I spoke to Joe Dresseens.

How can such a tragedy happen to a young and healthy guy? He was a genuine, fun, and spirited individual that cared about me. How can God take that away from me? It is just not fair. Why couldn’t he be here longer?

Through all of these questions, I was just a 26 year-old woman that had her dreams crushed. I have now missed him longer than I have known him. I wish I could have that time back with him but I know he is with me everyday.

Turn your wounds into wisdom. - Oprah Winfrey

amanda@fineyoungwidows.com