When Amy Emanuel kissed her partner Michael Maxwell goodbye on the morning of Wednesday, August 25, she had not realised it would be the last time she saw the "love of her life and best friend".
Michael was involved in a motorcycle accident along Carmarthen Road, Swansea, and sadly died at the age of 26, leaving behind a young family.
His partner has now given an emotional, loving tribute and wants to pass on lessons she has learnt to others that "life can change in the blink of an eye and is so very precious". You can read more stories about Swansea here.
Mike, a "master of his trade" plasterer and loving father of two young children had left his home in Penllergaer to continue developing his own business to support his young family moving into a new house.
"I will never forget that day" said his 28-year-old partner Amy who recalled the "heartache" she felt back in August.
Mike had decided to take his bike to work that day with plans of making the most of the beautiful day and enjoying a ride after work.
"I remember how excited he was to go, he doesn't typically take his bike to work but any chance he got he would make the most of the weather and go out.
"When I found out about an incident involving a motorbike, I immediately rang him and just knew it was him, I didn’t want to believe it and it’s hard to explain how I felt but my heart felt empty, I just knew.
"The pain, the heartache, feeling numb, disbelief, you don’t want to believe it and you think it will never happen to you, I still don’t want to believe it, he was so young and we just started life as a family - that’s what hurts the most."
Amy and her family were expecting to move into their new home in Pontlliw back in August but have been left unable to do so following Mike's sudden passing.
"He was such a loving, affectionate partner, my best friend and my go to support-person whilst being the fun loving Dad to Ayla and Zion and always making memories with them, his face would light up every time he would see them.
"It's difficult now because Zion is now reaching his milestones and Mike isn't here to see that. He's a mini version of his father and I am so grateful he gave us two beautiful children that will live on his name forever."
Amy is now moving into a new home with their two young children; Ayla Maxwell, two, and Zion Maxwell, who, being eight-months-old, will celebrate his first birthday without his loving father.
"Ayla does ask to see her daddy and I have to explain he's not coming home which is the hardest thing I have had to do in my life.
"She’s an intelligent little girl and knows something/'s not right, she knows her daddy loves her very much and wishes he could be here and is looking down on her every day, she doesn’t quite understand but she will and so will Zion. We will be strong together."
She wants to pay a special thanks to her friends and family for offering an "overwhelming amount of support" from near and afar, from people who knew him and the community.
"I am so grateful to every single person, not just for me but our family. After Mike passed we have come together as a family and I think Ayla and Zion have played a massive part in that, they certainly keep everyone busy.
"Its hard not to smile and be happy when there’s two young kids around, they just light up the room, I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t have them and I think I speak for the family, they are everything right now in this difficult time."
Through all this heartbreak, Amy bravely wants to raise awareness that life can suddenly change for anyone.
"Mike was such a positive person and that was the way to be in life, he taught me to be positive and I’m going to carry that on in his memory, times like this you have to be positive. Don’t get me wrong, I cry every day, I just miss him so much, but it’s ok to cry, it’s ok to be sad.
"If I’ve learnt anything it’s to be in the present rather than the future because life can change in a blink of an eye. Be grateful for every second that you get to spend with the people you love. Life is so very precious. "
Fundraisers are currently ongoing in order to support Mike's young family during this difficult time with a scheduled Pen Y Fan 24-hour marathon - where close friends will be ascending the mountain as many times as possible over Saturday, November 13.
Amy said she couldn't express enough gratitude to everyone involved.
To support their fundraiser you can do so by clicking here.
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