Ashley Bugge

At 6 months pregnant with my third child, I received a phone call that would forever change the path of my life and that of my children. My husband, a naval officer, died in a tragic scuba diving accident, leaving me heartbroken, pregnant and alone with my kids on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Summoning every ounce of grit, stubbornness and sheer determination within, I've figured out how to move through the greatest adversity and from it, turn this tragedy into a triumph. This is my journey in finding the strength and courage to rebuild our lives.

At 34 years old I had already lived through more heartache and adversity than most experience in a lifetime. For now, I am doing the only thing I know how to do which is to write, to share my story of love, passion and loss, and to put on a brave face while I attempt to move forward, honoring my husband's legacy of 'No Bucket Lists!' If you want to do something, do it now. Live a life you will remember.