Laura Murphy found herself on a solo honeymoon in Castellina in Chianti, Italy, a place she had dreamed of visiting with her fiancé, Devon O’Grady. The Tuscan village, chosen for their honeymoon, held special significance as O’Grady’s childhood holiday spot. However, just weeks before their wedding, O’Grady died in Murphy’s arms, leaving her to embark on the planned trip alone.
Murphy and O’Grady, both lawyers from St. John's, Newfoundland, met in early 2021. Murphy, running late for a job interview, encountered O’Grady when the building’s elevator was out of order. He assisted her, leaving a positive impression that led to a job offer. O’Grady quickly became a memorable figure at the law firm, known for his kindness and his habit of giving colleagues nicknames.
Their relationship deepened over the summer of 2021. O’Grady, who was completing his post-graduate articling requirements, was known for his unique lunch habits and his ability to bring people together. A memorable moment was watching the sunrise together, an experience that marked the beginning of their profound connection. O’Grady gifted Murphy a small wooden heart inscribed with the word ‘time,’ a reminder from his cousin’s grandfather about the preciousness of life.
By March 2023, O’Grady proposed to Murphy in Mississauga, Canada, after their travel plans were disrupted. He had designed the engagement ring using gold from family jewelry, symbolizing their shared future.
Tragedy struck in May 2024. The day after celebrating O’Grady's 32nd birthday, Murphy was preparing for a client meeting when O’Grady experienced a medical emergency at their office. He collapsed, initially believed to be having a panic attack, but was diagnosed with a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Despite immediate attempts to help and the arrival of paramedics, O'Grady died. Murphy recounted the harrowing experience, the disbelief, and the subsequent self-blame that characterized her grief.
Following O’Grady's death, Murphy found herself adrift, struggling with the profound loss. Months later, she decided to proceed with their planned European honeymoon, a journey that would take her to London, France, and Italy. This trip, intended as a shared experience, became a solo pilgrimage.
Her initial days in London were marked by disorientation and grief, a state experts refer to as ‘grief brain.’ She documented her experiences in a TikTok video, sharing her journey of grief and her hope to find meaning in life. The video unexpectedly gained widespread attention, reaching millions and garnering support from strangers, though it also attracted negative comments.
Murphy’s travels continued to France, where she was joined by her best friend and her fiancé. While their presence offered comfort, witnessing their couplehood also amplified her sense of loss. In Italy, specifically Castellina in Chianti, she felt O’Grady’s presence keenly, experiencing a heightened sense of his absence in places he had loved and dreamed of sharing with her.
Returning to Newfoundland in autumn 2024, Murphy faced the difficult reality of life without O’Grady. The anniversaries of his birthday, death, and their planned wedding date were particularly challenging. She described grief as an ongoing process, not a destination of being 'healed.'
Murphy has since connected with other women who have experienced similar losses, finding solace in shared experiences and strong female friendships. She credits her solo honeymoon and subsequent travels with helping her grow into a stronger, more open, and self-assured person, ultimately embracing her life as it is now.