I learned a lot about William in the next month. I learned he's motivated as hell once he sets his mind to something and that he cares about the people he loves. He showed me just how big his heart is, and with the help of a few other attorneys at my firm, we secured a lease for the center. Ross chipped in several thousand dollars toward the lease. Despite my protests, he said he wanted to help. Plus, it would look good for the firm. William proudly named it "Survivors’ Space."

One wall of the space, located a few blocks away from our office above a yoga studio, donned chalkboard paint for visitors to sign in, draw a picture or leave their mark. Another wall was lined with a clothesline with a Polaroid camera on a table to the side. William wanted visitors to feel comfortable sharing their experiences, making new friends, and documenting their journeys. He envisioned the clothesline to be full of full of photographs of smiling men and women who visited Survivors’ Space.

At the back of the space stood a refrigerator, a sink, dishwasher, and a long wooden table which sat at least fifteen to twenty people. William and Charlie came up with the idea of having a Sunday dinner every week where people who needed a hot meal or a place to go could come and make themselves at home. While we didn't have space or a permit to house people, we wanted those in need to feel comfortable joining us during the day before we closed for the night. We did team up with the homeless shelter, though. Men, women and children could come here for dinner or to enjoy our space, then head to the shelter for a good night’s sleep. We even hired a few retired veterans to drive guests from our space to the shelter at night.

I'd never seen William so happy and focused. When he told me he needed a purpose in life, I didn't understand just how crucial it'd been for him to find his path. But now that he'd found it, every cell of his body radiated hope and happiness. I thanked him every day for allowing me to be a part of his journey and establish this space for others.

We opened on the first day of Spring, a Sunday, which was very fitting considering it was a fresh season and a fresh start for both of us. Press, friends, and families lined up for the ribbon-cutting outside of the retro brick building. The sun shone, and birds pleasantly twittered about. William wore a grin across his face. Nerves rattled him, but they didn't show.

William in a new plaid button-up with dark jeans and myself in a pink floral dress stood before a flashing camera. Charlie, between us, held the oversized scissors as we prepared to officially open the Survivors’ Space to the public. Karen was there and handed out flyers and buttons to those in attendance, too. Even Uncle Jimmy came to the ceremony. Bart was also a part of the celebration as he lay down in front of us all, lounging on the sidewalk and soaking up the sun in his bright orange jacket.

Joy filled me to my core as I thought about all the people we'd help in the coming days, weeks, months and hopefully years. I wondered how many Williams were out there, alone and lost. I wanted to help them all. I wanted to mend the broken pieces of their lives. It was selfish, really. It made me feel damn good to see others happy. Maybe I was doing it for myself, but I think in the end it didn't matter, as long as the people I helped had a chance at a better life.

The crowd chanted and counted down from three to one, and Charlie, William, and I cut the ribbon together. Karen, who stood behind us, tossed rainbow confetti into the air; Ross clapped and congratulated William and me, and Charlie whooped and howled with glee. We'd brought the community together and awareness to those in need.

William waved his arms, trying to gain the attention of the reporters and bystanders alike.

"Thank you! Thank you, everyone, for being here today. You know, my father once told me money couldn't buy happiness, and I'm here today to prove to him that he's wrong. Money can buy happiness as long as you're purchasing the right kinds of things. Money paid for this lease. Money paid for the furniture. Money paid for the food inside the fridge. And money will pay for future additions to come.

“If you don't already know, my name is William Divola, and less than a year ago, I lived on the streets. I was homeless and hopeless until this woman found me and wormed her way into my life." William paused to kiss my check and allowed time for the crowd to applaud.

"Amelia taught me about pushing forward and stopping at nothing to accomplish my dreams. If it wasn't for her, I might still be on the streets or even dead.

“Today is a new day, though, and a fresh start. Survivors’ Space is a place I know I will call home, and I hope others will feel the same."

The crowd applauded politely, their eyes glued to William.

"In honor of new beginnings, there's something else I need to do," William said, his hand shaking.

Before I knew what hit me, William gazed deeply into my eyes and bent down on one knee. The crowd gasped, and my heart stopped in my chest. Was this happening? I wanted to scream for someone to pinch me!

"Amelia Montgomery, you are the light of my life and my soulmate. I want nothing more than to call you my wife as well. Will you marry me?"

Adrenaline coursed through my veins. I never expected to see a man down on one knee before me again. And yet, there was William, stealing my heart away for the zillionth time with a modest, yet gorgeous diamond in his hands and an eager sparkle in his eye.

I turned to Charlie. "What do you think, bud?"

"Mom, William and I already discussed this." He rolled his eyes. "I gave him my permission weeks ago!"

I smiled broadly and turned back to William. "Yes!"

Everyone erupted in cheers, cameras flashed, and William slid the ring onto my finger: a perfect fit. He picked me up and spun me around. At that moment, the rest of the world blurred around me, and all I saw was this amazing man and the love he carried for my son and me. While I never thought I'd get a second chance at love, William had proven me wrong. I couldn't wait to start the next chapter of my life, to begin again with William and Charlie by my side.