Laura Murphy found herself embarking on a solo honeymoon, a planned European trip to Italy, France, and Monaco, just weeks after the sudden death of her fiancé, Devon O’Grady. The couple, who met in Newfoundland in early 2021, had been set to marry after nearly two years of dating. O'Grady died in March 2023 in Mississauga, Canada, due to an aortic aneurysm rupture.
Murphy described meeting O'Grady when she was late for a job interview at a law firm in St. John's, Newfoundland. He was a stylish lawyer who offered her reassurance and later a nickname, "Backpack Girl." Their connection deepened over the summer of 2021, marked by shared sunrises and O’Grady gifting her a wooden heart inscribed with "time is the most precious thing we have."
Their engagement was planned for a trip to Arizona, but O'Grady proposed in a hotel in Mississauga after a flight disruption. Murphy recalled the proposal being spontaneous, funny, and heartfelt, leaving her in tears.
Tragically, Devon O’Grady passed away at 32 on the day after his birthday. Murphy recounted the morning of his death, noting his focus for an important Zoom call and his unusual nervousness. He collapsed in his office, experiencing difficulty breathing, which Murphy initially mistook for a panic attack. Doctors later informed her that an aortic aneurysm rupture was the cause of his death.
Devastated, Murphy initially struggled with grief, describing a period of deep sadness where she found it difficult to leave her bed. However, she found a concrete purpose in the one-way ticket to London that was booked for their planned honeymoon. This journey, meant to be shared with O'Grady across Europe, became a solo endeavor.
Her experiences during the trip, shared through TikTok videos, garnered significant attention, with millions of views and a large following. While she received some negative comments, Murphy was largely overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and connected with other young women who had experienced similar losses. She met Justine, who shared her story of losing a partner suddenly to a heart condition.
Traveling with friends Reb and Kyle to France and Monaco, Murphy found moments of joy but also succumbed to waves of grief when witnessing the couple's interactions. She reflected on O'Grady's love for the Cote d’Azur and his appreciation for people.
Upon returning to Newfoundland in Autumn 2024, Murphy continued to navigate her grief. The anniversaries of O'Grady's birthday, death, and their intended wedding date were particularly difficult. She emphasized that grief has no end and that learning to live with joy again is an ongoing process. Murphy maintains connections with friends and women she met during her travels, finding support in female friendships. She has embraced her personal growth, becoming stronger and more open with her feelings, attributing this transformation partly to her solo honeymoon experience.
Murphy's reflections on her journey, including visits to Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, where she honored O'Grady's memory with gelato and visits to places he had described, are detailed in her book, "The Solo Honeymoon."