I am a wife and mother. I have been married to my husband, Brad, for 29 years. Together, we have three beautiful boys. Our marriage has been far from conventional. I married a musician and songwriter, and our early years together were like something out of a movie—full of the wild, unpredictable mix of alcohol, drugs, and rock and roll.

Brad has been sober for 20 years now. He remains dedicated to his recovery, working a program, attending weekly meetings, and sponsoring several men battling addiction. I witness my husband put in the hard work to live a sober life, day in and day out. Brad’s story is rare when it comes to successful recovery, especially within the music industry.

Over the years, we have both been open with individuals, families, and children, sharing our experiences. We continue to speak to groups, discussing what addiction truly looks like and how, without recognizing the disease, support from loved ones, or a strong community, drugs and alcohol always win. I have spoken at Cumberland Heights about the impact addiction has on families and served on the board at Porters Call, working to raise awareness among new artists and their families.

Despite our efforts to raise addiction awareness for others, Brad and I got the phone call no parent should ever receive. On May 18, 2020 our family was forever changed when we lost our beloved son, Sage Michael Warren, to an accidental overdose of Fentanyl at just 21 years old. We will never get to see the beautiful life sobriety could have given him.

I have lived as both a wife and a mother, surrounded by addiction. I have faced a parent’s worst nightmare, yet somehow, I feel that I have become a stronger woman because of it. I am forever grateful for the many women who reached out to me with notes, cards, books, food, and more.

It’s the small, heartfelt gestures from others that gave me hope and reminded me that people cared—that Sage is not forgotten and that I am loved. I share all of this to underscore why DFD is not just important, but absolutely necessary! While I have been, and continue to be, supported, even 4 years after Sage’s death, my husband and two sons have not had the same support. Men experience pain, they struggle, and they deserve kindness and encouragement through every hardship they face. DFD would be honored to serve them as they navigate their way through life’s darkest days.