Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs! I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I’m sharing a story about resilience, change, and the unexpected twists that shape our lives.

Thirty years ago, I married my husband, I posted a handmade wedding invitation—a reminder of a milestone anniversary. That simple post sparked a flood of questions: How did you meet your husband? It’s a story worth telling, but before I can share that chapter, I need to take you back to an earlier one—the moment I knew I had to leave my first marriage and start over.

This episode is about that turning point. It’s about moving to Cape Cod, finding strength in the incredible nurses who became my support system, and making the difficult decision to walk away. It’s about the journey to Portland, Maine, where a chance encounter in a hospital gift shop led to a new job, a new home, and a fresh start.

And, of course, there’s the unexpected twist—four weeks of roses from someone who wasn’t ready to let go.

So join me as I reflect on the lessons learned, the people who helped me along the way, and the power of tenacity in shaping our lives.