He loved me. He protected me. He gave me all of him. It was all a girl could possibly ask for. It was all a girl could want. We were young and in love. Our relationship was definitely one for the books. We went from teenagers into adults, hand in hand. Hoping and striving for different things but nonetheless, wanting a life together. With him by my side, there was nothing i felt that was out of my reach. Life wasn't easy but it was pleasant with him.

I loved this man and he was taken from me far too soon. No, we did not break up and no, he did not have cancer nor did he get into a car accident.

He was a victim of gun violence.

Unnecessary and merciless.

My wonderful man was taken from me because racism is all too prominent.

I hate to focus on the negative, but it gets harder to think anything but when I was wronged so terribly. When he was wronged for the color of his skin.

Slavery ended several scores ago but racism runs rampant. I shed tears for him and for all the other people that were taken too soon because of the insecurities and nationalities of others.

In this strife, I have found the strength to fight for the rights of minorities

When I march, it's because I loved him. Because living without him is too painful.

When I march, I do it for the future we planned. I do it because every night, I still reach for him. I do it because every morning, I wake up wondering how I will explain to our baby why he lives without his father.

My man was a stunning, kind and strong man. In his final hours, it didn't matter that he was such.

It didn't matter that he was rushing home to see his family. .

It didn't matter that he helped kids realize their passion and reach their true potential everyday

All he was, was a random black man whose life was dispensable

Now, he is gone forever and I was left with the memory of who he was.

(((To everyone reading this story, if you have lost a loved one to gun violence, I am very sorry. I wish all the best for you and your family. Gun violence and hate crimes are a reality I wish we lived without. I cannot imagine the pain that must come with it. I must admit that this story reflects a lot of the fears I have.

Please, be a positive and loving force in this world.)))