His life had been marred by significant tragedy, and only recently had he begun to show signs of being made whole again."
"She shone brightest when the world around her was most turbulent."
He'd led a hardl life as a result of choices made along the way. And it showed. He had the appearance of one who was 40 going on 60.
Though they remained a couple, the personal growth of each occurred outside that connection.
Despite significant differences, they had grown up close friends and remained so.
Her young charges all regarded The Teacher with the utmost respect...as though she were larger than life.