Updated: March 24, 2023
Love is a beautifully complex phenomenon. The forces that draw one individual to another are often unique and hard to articulate. Attempting to define love is akin to describing the essence of color—each person perceives it differently, and no two relationships mirror one another.
The ways in which people connect and fall in love are as varied and captivating as love itself.
Photographer Mia Larson experienced an unconventional love story when she met her husband, Ryan Carter, through Instagram. In an interview with The Journal, Mia shared that they had no mutual friends, yet Ryan began commenting on her photographs. “I could sense something special in his images and felt drawn to know him,” she expressed.
Through their exchanges, a friendship blossomed, eventually evolving into romance and, ultimately, love. The couple wed in 2017. However, tragedy struck on January 1, 2019, when Ryan unexpectedly passed away from a rare heart condition at just 32 years old.
Mia revealed to The Journal that she had always captured their profound connection through her lens, often photographing Ryan during their shoots. As she navigated her grief, Mia continued to share their story on Instagram, allowing her sorrow to unfold in the same unexpected manner as their love began. “I wanted to celebrate him, cherish the beautiful moments we shared, and encourage our loved ones to grieve openly,” she stated.
With over 60,000 followers, Mia shares daily posts, honoring her husband and the enchanting nature of love itself. She expressed her hope that sharing her grief and love for Ryan after his passing would facilitate her healing while also commemorating their time together. “When Ryan died, I recognized that our love story and his premature departure deserved to be shared,” Mia explained. “I found strength in narrating our journey and my experience as a grieving spouse.”
Mia’s reflections on grief encompass every aspect of her experience. She beautifully articulates the deep sadness, the intricate emotions associated with moving forward, and her changing views on an afterlife. “As someone with an optimistic outlook, I often advise other widows to be patient—someone special will eventually come into your life,” she wrote in one of her posts. “You have so much value to offer, and the love you lost serves as a foundation for the next relationship.”
Yet, she candidly admits that adhering to this optimistic perspective is not always simple, confessing, “I now find myself torn—open to new love and filled with hope, yet hesitant about the idea of someone sharing my space. It will never be him.”
Ultimately, Mia’s Instagram presence is more than just a collection of images or a social media account—it’s an authentic portrayal of her life, encapsulating the raw emotions of grief, loss, and survival. “The passage of time remains a confusing aspect of my existence,” she noted in a recent post. “No amount of time will restore what was lost in 2019.”
Mia’s unfiltered representation of grief serves as a refreshing perspective in today’s meticulously curated digital landscape. It serves as a powerful reminder to cherish those we hold dear. After immersing myself in Mia’s poignant visuals and heartfelt narratives, I find myself more appreciative of the little things, like my partner’s scattered socks.
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In summary, Mia Larson’s Instagram is a compelling narrative that reshapes our understanding of love and loss. Through her lens, she invites us to embrace both the beauty and the heartache that life can bring.