It takes a while for me to recover from the accident. Headaches are a daily experience, but my face is healing nicely. They had called in a plastic surgeon to do the stitches and I'm pretty convinced that the scar will be almost invisible, thanks to the doctor's delicate work and my abundance of freckles. Score one for the ugly dots.

The headaches aren't subsiding at the same rate. Some days, they're tolerable. Other days, the pain is excruciating. I spend a lot of time lying down with a cool cloth on my head. When the pain gets exceptionally bad, Harry sits next to me, strokes my hair, and quietly prays for me. Sometimes he sings softly to me. He has an unbelievable voice and it's especially soothing when he's singing low and soft to comfort me.

Everyone involved in my life has recommended that I quit my job. I need some time to heal from the concussion and I already have a lot on my plate since the wedding is so close now. The doctors had informed us that the healing time for a grade 3 concussion can vary. If I have a day when I feel really good, I might try to get a lot done and then feel terrible the next day.

If it had just been the parents suggesting this, I would have chalked it up to their classic over-protectiveness. But Harry is the one who finally convinces me by telling me, "Please let me take care of you for once. You're not my wife yet, but I want to care for you and protect you." I know this is important to him, to feel like he can do something meaningful for me, so I am now unemployed. Besides, he is going to medical school at some point, so I know he researches and understands things like concussions better than I do.

Still, I'm disappointed because I really liked the job at the therapy clinic. Dr. Vernis told me, however, that if I am able to come back after the wedding, he will gladly re-hire me.

With time, my headaches finally subside. I've been able to make up for lost time with wedding plans. Since we are keeping it simple, almost everything is done. The days are flying by now and I can't believe the wedding is so close.

Both Harry and I are benefiting from the increasing sunshine. I start running in the mornings again when my head is completely healed. It doesn't seem to bother Harry anymore. There are even days when he hobbles along with me until he can't keep up, but since I usually make a circuit, I catch up and give him a peck on the lips when I do a lap. We get out and take walks together in the afternoon, usually after he's put in several hours of studying.

Now that we're both feeling better, Harry is full of surprises. First, he buys me a telescope since I'm missing mine from home. I had not to bring it to Madison because I always want it to be there when I return. It's a gift for me, but both of us spend  many clear evenings finding constellations, although it's not as easy to do in the city as it is in Eagle Canyon. Harry seems genuinely eager to learn the names of the stars and all of the little facts that I have accumulated.

And then, one Friday afternoon, just a few weeks before the wedding, Gemma arrives with Scarlett in tow. "We have a surprise for you," they tell me. I can't imagine what they're talking about. I open my eyes wide with interest.

"We're taking you on a girls' getaway this weekend!" They squeal like a couple of high school girls. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and soon I'm squealing with them.

Harry enters the room and playfully covers an ear. "It sounds like they told you the news."

"You helped them plan this?" I ask incredulously.

"You've been working so hard. You deserve a weekend away."

"We're going to the outlet malls in Pleasant Prairie. We'll stay in a nice hotel, spend some time at the spa, and shop til we drop. Assuming there's anything else you need before the wedding. If not, we can help you pick out something sexy for the honeymoon." I can't believe that Gemma just said that in front of her brother. The familiar blush graces my face.

"Go and pack!" Scarlett demands. "We're leaving as soon as you're ready."

"Are you sure?" I ask Harry. I feel uneasy about leaving when the wedding is so close, but there really isn't much left to do.

"I'm a big boy. I still have a lot of studying to do. Plus, if you have any phone calls you want me to make, just let me know. I can handle some of the planning, too, you know."

"Sure, now that it's almost done!" I joke as I place a kiss on his cheek and run upstairs to get packed. When I leave, I make sure he knows, "I love you."

We check into a luxurious hotel in Pleasant Prairie, just west of Milwaukee. Our suite is humongous, two adjoining rooms with four queen beds and two bathrooms, each with a jacuzzi tub. I am instantly relaxed as I sink into a comfy chair.

"Thank you so much! I would never have planned this for myself, but it's perfect!" I rave as my eyes drift closed with the surrounding comfort. The other girls putter around, unpacking while I enjoy the luxury. A knock on the door startles me slightly. Gemma announces, "We have one more surprise for you, Kate!"

What on earth? I wonder. It can't be Harry. That would be weird.

Just then, the perky red head of my best friend pokes into my room.

"Dani!" I shriek, not quite as loudly as in the hospital, but still quite loud as she grabs me and squeezes me tight.

I am near tears as I look at the three women who planned such a special weekend for me. I wish Fiona was here, but I'm in no position to complain.

Dani probably read my mind because she tells me, "Fiona couldn't make it. She's studying for finals and she just couldn't get away. Otherwise, consider this your bachelorette party weekend."

Could I possibly have better friends? I think not.

After a fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant, we retire to the hotel with a healthy stash of chocolate. Once we're in our pajamas, we flop on the beds like schoolgirls. Scarlett asks, "Kate, what is your best memory with Harry?"

"Only one memory? I can't pick just one!" I laugh. "Hmm. I would have to say the night we first met. He rode the trolley and I couldn't keep my eyes off of him or his gorgeous hair. Man, I just wanted to run my fingers through his thick, chocolatey waves! I seriously could just curl up and live in there!" The other girls shriek with laughter at my description. I continue, "If Gemma and Mike had been on time that night, I might never have gotten to know Harry."

Gemma interrupts, "Wait. Just wait. That is not true. Mike and I were still up when he got home and he could not stop talking about you. And all the next day, all we heard was Kate, Kate, Kate." We laugh at her fake mocking tone and then she goes on, "If you hadn't spent hours together that night, Harry would have made sure that he went back the next night to find you."

"He did come back the next night. He rode the trolley all four times! And it was freezing that night!" I giggle.

"See?" Gemma giggles. "It was love at first sight. People say that's not possible, but it happened with you and Harry."

"Yeah, it sure did." I quietly admit.

Dani changes the course of conversation with next surprising question: "So, have you and Harry...you know?"

My eyes shoot wide open and I yell in shock and embarrassment, "Dani! Did you not notice his sister is sitting right here?"

Gemma assures me, "It's okay. I've had sex before," she giggles, showing off her huge baby belly. "But, yeah, when you're talking about my brother, I might not want too many details." She makes kind of a sick face.

I notice that Scarlett is silent and seems a little uncomfortable. I quickly assure her – and everyone else – that no, we have not been intimate yet. "We're waiting until our wedding night."

Dani looks astonished, but then smiles and says, "That's cool."

And I notice that Scarlett has a small smile on her face.

"Wow, anyway, let's talk about something else, shall we?" I suggest.

We move on to talking about boyfriends and husbands, babies and families, movies. We finally agree that it's time to start a chick flick. Dani flicks through the available movies and pauses on one in particular.

"No!" I almost shout.

A questioning glance from Dani prompts me to explain. "Fiona and I had a movie-fest the night before Harry's surgery. We watched this one. I needed something to do to keep me from freaking out. We fell asleep until Mrs. Styles called in the morning. She told me Harry was dead." I finish with my voice barely audible and the other girls gasp in sympathy.

I choke on the sobs that are threatening. "It was only a matter of minutes before my dad clarified that, although his heart had stopped, the doctors had revived him, but they were the longest minutes in my life. I felt like I was going to die." I'm bawling now and the other girls are swarming me with hugs and kisses. Eventually, I regain control and tell them, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a downer. This is supposed to a fun weekend, right?"

Scarlett tells me, "It's an important part of what happened to you – what happened to all of us – when Harry ended up in a coma. You have to work through memories like that. It's not healthy to just never talk about it."

Gemma contributes, "I was at my OB's office for a pregnancy checkup. I answered my phone during the appointment, which I never would have done otherwise. I told my doctor about Harry's situation, and she was cool with it. After I hung up, I started crying right in front of her. I felt like I was going to throw up. Luckily my doctor was able to comfort me and offer me some helpful insights into comas."

"I did throw up," I tell her, remembering that I hugged that trash can between my legs for at least twenty minutes. "I felt like I was going to die." We all engage in another group hug and then we decide instead to watch a goofy slapstick movie.

After Gemma and Dani have fallen asleep, Scarlett tells me, "I'm proud of you and Harry for waiting. He's always been such a gentleman, so respectful."

I nod in agreement. "It hasn't been easy, but I'm glad we are. And we have the shortest engagement ever! I can't imagine what it's like for people who are engaged for years." Of course, I know the answer is probably that people don't wait if they have to wait that long. It's a natural part of life and we can only expect to put our desires on hold for so long.

I'm not sure if it's any of my business, but Scarlett treats me like a true friend, so I ask, "What about you and Dave? I mean, I'm assuming you have the same arrangement – waiting until you're married."

She nods with a content smile.

Of course they are, I think.

"Harry never mentioned anything about Dave's faith, but you're such a strong Christian, I'm sure he must be, too...." I trail off, wanting her to fill in the missing information.

"He wasn't always a Christian. I knew early on that he wanted to get serious with me, but I would never consider him unless I knew he was serious about a relationship with God. I didn't challenge him or anything. I think he just approached God on his own and knew he had to be open to a life of faith if he wanted a chance with me."

"That's amazing," I remark. "I'm glad Harry and Dave are such good friends. I'm so thankful for you, too. It's going to be hard when we move away for Harry to go to medical school."

"We'll keep in touch, I promise," Scarlett grins. "And you'd better move back once he's finished!"

The next day, we hit the mall. We shop for shoes and nylons and earrings for the wedding. And yes, the girls help me decide on something attractive, but not sleazy, for my wedding night. We spend hours in a particularly quaint baby boutique and I think we have bought enough clothes for Gemma's baby to last him until college.

After yet another wonderful dinner, we retire to the hotel room, this time with a gallon of ice cream and four plastic spoons.

Once everyone else is asleep, Scarlett and I stay up talking again.

"So how are you and Harry doing? I know it was really hard for you when he wanted to postpone the wedding."

"We're great. Back to where we were before; well, even better. I guess that going through some struggles has helped us solidify our commitment to each other. I've never been more sure of our love for each other."

Scarlett laughs, "You and Harry have been through more in the last few months than most couples go through in twenty years! I'm pretty sure you are prepared for whatever life throws at you."

"I agree, but I hope that we don't have to face anything else for a long time!" I close my eyes. "It's been good, though. I've realized that Harry and I will need support from other people. We can't be everything for each other." I meet Scarlett's gaze. "Most of all, I realized that I need to get my strength from God."

Scarlett becomes very serious. "He uses everything – even the worst times in our lives – to draw us closer to Him. Can I pray with you?" She asks. I nod, and she says a very simple prayer while holding my hand.

"God our Father, thank You for bringing Kate and Harry together. Thank You for speaking to her heart and helping her to know that You are the One who loves her more than anything. Help Kate to know more and more how to receive Your love and to love You in return. Amen."

Scarlett's words are once again simple, nothing earth-shattering. Yet I feel a profound peace. I am overwhelmed with the deep realization that God loves me. He loves me more than anyone else in the world could love me, which is amazing, since I know how furiously Harry loves me. I finally know what it means to have a relationship with God.

I can't wait to tell Harry.

"Guess what?" I ask when I get home the next day, feeling lighthearted and happy.

He just shakes his head and chuckles at my giddy demeanor.

I began by blurting out, "Scarlett prayed with me last night and I thought I was a Christian before, but I've realized, as we've gone through everything in the past few months that I need to trust God more and I need to have a relationship with Him. Scarlett listened a lot – especially when you told me you didn't want to get married yet – and she encouraged me to pursue a relationship with God, so I asked her how to do that, and she told me that there are many ways to talk to God and hear God, and that I just have to be open to God, and-"

Harry pulls me into the tightest, warmest hug he can manage with one arm while keeping himself balanced with the other. "You're talking a lot again," he says, reminding me of the night we first met.

I have tears in my eyes when I tell him, "I think it's because I'm falling in love again."

* * * * *

Hello everyone: I know I regularly ask for your support in sharing my stories and you're always so wonderful. This time, I'd like to ask for a different kind of support. As many of you know, my husband is a stroke survivor. Since his first stroke seven years ago, he has suffered another stroke, a small aneurysm, and possible seizures that have compromised his memory and caused excessive confusion. In addition, his mobility decreases regularly which means that at some point, our current house will not be accessible for him, especially if he eventually needs a wheelchair. With all this being said, my mother-in-law and one of her good friends started a GoFundMe account for our family with a rather high financial goal. The idea is to create a savings account for us going forward to be able to use for unforeseen medical bills as well as major household needs. With his current mental state, Al may never return to work and my job is wonderful but with my health issues, I can only do so much.

So here is the request: Would you please take the time to read the rather long story of our health and financial issues and especially SHARE the page with family and friends on social media. I understand that many of you are in high school and college and don't have the means to give financially, but I would be so blessed if you could make this fundraiser fly by sharing it on Facebook, Twitter or in any other way you might see fit.

www.gofundme.com/help-al-persevere

Thank you SO MUCH and I love you all <3