Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a beloved author whose poignant Modern Love essay “You May Want to Marry My Husband” captured hearts around the world, sadly passed away on Monday morning. Rosenthal, a Chicago-based writer, shared her ovarian cancer diagnosis in the viral piece that had everyone reaching for the tissues.
In her touching essay, she humorously opened with, “Want to hear a sick joke? A husband and wife walk into the emergency room on the evening of September 5, 2015. A few hours and tests later, the doctor confirms that the pain the wife is feeling isn’t just appendicitis, but ovarian cancer.”
Married for 26 years to her husband, Jason, the couple raised three children: Jake, 24, Molly, 22, and Ella, 19. An award-winning writer, Rosenthal authored over 30 children’s books and was also recognized for her memoir, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. In her Modern Love essay, she crafted a unique “dating profile” for Jason, highlighting their love story.
“Jason is an easy man to fall in love with. I did it in one day,” she wrote fondly. “He brought flowers to our first pregnancy ultrasound and surprises me every Sunday morning with quirky smiley faces made from kitchen items.”
Rosenthal viewed her essay as “the most genuine, non-vase-oriented gift,” hoping that the right person would read it, find Jason, and start a new chapter of love. Jason, 52, reflected on the emotional weight of the writing process, stating, “I was shocked at the beauty of her words, especially given her condition. If I had the gift of storytelling, I would write about our epic love story.”
Losing a spouse is a profound loss, and no matter the circumstances, it always feels like a precious time has been snatched away. I’ve listened to friends cope with the sudden loss of a partner early in their marriage, expressing the feeling that their future was stolen. Even my 93-year-old grandmother, who was married for 66 years, still walks past her husband’s chair and whispers, “Dammit Bill, why did you leave me so soon?” Time is never enough when it comes to love, and Rosenthal’s story is a testament to that truth.
In her memoir, Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal, published in 2016, she poignantly remarked, “I will invariably have to move on before I’ve had enough. My first word was ‘more.’ It may very well be my last.”
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Summary: Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the author of the viral essay “You May Want to Marry My Husband,” passed away from ovarian cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love and heartfelt writing. Her essay celebrated her husband, Jason, and their life together, resonating with many who have experienced loss.