My dad as a yound boy, young man, husband and dad. He was a family man. He used to say, “I am not rich in money, but in how much happiness you guys have brought me.” He was born in Romania in the country and after high school, he moved to Bucharest. That’s where he met my mom.

Going fishing was his favorite way to spend his summers. Waking up at 3am was never hard for him, because it meant he got to go to the river. It wasn’t about catching fish; it was about spending time alone and watching a good sunrise. Of course, we didn’t understand that then. We just wanted to count the fish.

My favorite memory of my dad is this one: on winter afternoons, he would come home from work to take me and my little brother sledding. I can still hear the snow under his boots.

Although he was a country boy, he adapted to city life and knew how to wear a fancy suit and shiny shoes.

Dad left us two years ago after battling cancer for 4 years. He was surrounded by love all of is life until the very last moment when he passed away in my mom’s and brother’s arms.

I miss him so much. Photographs are such a beautiful way to keep the ones we love in our lives. ~shared by @marysandovalphoto