When I went to Natasha Elkins’ funeral in November, I couldn’t stop crying. It wasn’t my first funeral. But it was the first funeral I’d attended of such a young, vibrant woman who had known she was going to die for the better part of a decade. The doctors gave her five years to live after her diagnosis at 23. She lived twice as long. And I think love, true love, the kind you read about in fairy tales and imagine when you’re a starry-eyed teenager, gave her the power to survive longer than anyone expected.

Natasha’s life inspired me to embrace mine. And never give up on the one thing that can save us and make us truly happy.

Read the story 360 West February: In Sickness and in Health.