Rebecca Soffer Shares Her Story On How She Found Love After Losing Her Mother

February 12, 2018

There is a lot to learn from Rebecca Soffer's story about opening herself to the complexities of grieving.

Sharing the experience of losing the loved ones

Rebecca, who is the CEO and co-founder of Modern Loss, wanted a space where people who had experienced the loss of a loved one could share the uncommon or unexpected stories about their journey through grief.

When my mother died my heart shattered into a million pieces, many of which have yet to find their way back together. If I'd been the mother, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have survived at all.

A post shared by Rebecca Soffer (@rebeccasoffer) on Dec 28, 2016 at 8:18pm PST

#tbt Philly, the 80s. Me, mom, my two front teeth.

A post shared by Rebecca Soffer (@rebeccasoffer) on Oct 22, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT

Modern loss

She launched her website with a bereaved friend, Gabrielle Birkner. This was after the death of her parents. Her mother had died in a car accident, while her father has passed away not long after that.

In honor of @modernloss being up and running, #tbt in honor of my awesome parents (can't you tell?) #modernloss #bangs

A post shared by Rebecca Soffer (@rebeccasoffer) on Nov 21, 2013 at 12:49pm PST

Their book, Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome, was born from the success of their website project.

Such a thrill to do a Facebook Live chat on all things #modernloss with @LaurenYoung at @Reuters today! pic.twitter.com/fEHDsxucmI

— Rebecca Soffer (@RebeccaSoffer) January 24, 2018

A thrilling night at the book launch of this essential, warm, witty and wise guide to grief by the remarkable @rebeccasoffer and #ModernLoss.

Required reading for human beings. pic.twitter.com/XChdXWNM1O

— Benj Pasek (@benjpasek) January 24, 2018

A common happiness stumbling block is that it's hard to talk candidly about grief -- often, we just don't know what to say or what to do. @RebeccaSoffer and @GabiBirkner

released a book of essays:https://t.co/c9LxPTdCBO @ModernLoss pic.twitter.com/mveHEdH9WP

— Gretchen Rubin (@gretchenrubin) January 25, 2018

The book has already been praised by big names in Hollywood, namely Stephen Colbert and Mindy Kaling. It has also been praised by the New York Times as “redefining mourning.”

Life after loss and finding love

Rebecca began to date her husband, Justin, two months before her mother's unveiling.

In a piece for Cosmopolitan, the co-author who defines death as the ultimate breakup talks about losing potential partners because she was open about her experience of grief.

She expected him to slowly back away, but he did not.

The way he embraced my sadness was a stark contrast to the men I’d been frantically dating in the months after my mother’s death.

First Tanglewood concert with @jdsoffer (and apparently fried chicken), summer 2007. #tbt #berkshires

A post shared by Rebecca Soffer (@rebeccasoffer) on Jul 18, 2013 at 12:57pm PDT

Portrait of a couple that just secretly watched their three-year-old's first ski lesson. ⛷????

A post shared by Rebecca Soffer (@rebeccasoffer) on Jan 13, 2017 at 1:26pm PST

Rebecca points out that her marriage to Justin is not necessarily a walk in the park, but choosing to be with him after he showed up for her mother's unveiling has proved to be a great decision.