My name is Allison Hardin, and I never met Dr. Hardin, really. I just happened to have a Gmail address that was very nearly the same as his wife's. In 2019, Dr. Hardin accidentally sent me a receipt for a return to Kohl's. I replied to him that I'd be happy to help, except that I didn't have that item; was it possible he meant to forward this to someone else? He "haha"ed and thanked me for getting the email straight. In addition, he sent a photo of *his* Allison Hardin. I made a joke about how she was much prettier than me, and Dr Hardin replied: "Always remember, you are beautiful because God made ya that way. :)" Every once in a while, I would get an email that I believed was intended for "his Allison," and each time I forwarded them, Dr. Hardin was kind and funny, thanking me for keeping things intended for "his bride" going to the right place. I enjoyed being able to help keep him updated as the occasional business got our email addresses crossed.
Today, I got another accidental email that was intended for Allison Hardin of Arkansas, and forwarded it to Dr. Hardin's email, as I usually did. But this time the title got my attention - it was an email on how to move forward after the loss of a spouse. Oh no.
Allison, I want you to know what many have likely told you already - that your husband was kind, funny, and loved you and your daughters very much. He didn't mind sharing his love for you with strangers, and sharing his love of God, either. I imagine there's a very deep hole in the middle of Arkansas where he once stood. My mother's husband died when he was 48, and left a similar hole. It's been 29 years, and I can say that the love he left us with has been a comfort every day. I wish the same for you.
Reflecting Dr. Hardin's love for you and your daughters back to you,
Allison Hardin (South Carolina)