Celebrating Pi Day Without Him

March 14, Pi Day, is such a fun day of the year. As a former math teacher, I’ve always loved all things math, and Pi Day was a perfect excuse to celebrate the beauty of numbers with something delicious — pie! But for my husband, this day had nothing to do with 3.14 and everything to do with indulging in one of his favorite desserts.

His love for pie was legendary in our family. It's tradition that you get to choose the dessert for your birthday.  He wasn't too fond of cake, so we have stuck candles in many a pie.  In fact, I went into labor with our first child while sitting at Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen   on Bardstown Road during the Cicada season of 1987. I should have known then that pie would always be a part of our story! Over the years, while I delighted in the mathematical significance of the day, he simply delighted in the excuse to eat another slice of his favorite treat.

But now, celebrating without him feels like a daunting task. How do you continue a tradition when the one who made it special is no longer here? It would be easy to let the day pass unacknowledged, to ignore the calendar and pretend it doesn’t hold the same meaning anymore. And yet, grief has taught me something important: love doesn’t disappear, and neither do the memories we cherish.

So this year, I’m choosing to celebrate Pie Day in a way that honors both my love for math and his love for pie. If you find yourself navigating a special day without your beloved, here are a few ideas that might bring a bit of sweetness to the bittersweet:

1. Visit a Special Pie Place

If baking is not your strong suit, the best way to celebrate might be to visit a bakery or restaurant that serves amazing pie. Even though I do like to bake, it's not as much fun unless I'm baking for others.  As Pie Day is a Friday this year, my children and grandchildren will probably be busy.  Maybe I’ll even return to Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen, sit outside in the same spot where our story took a dramatic turn that summer of ‘87, and reflect on how love — like math — connects us in ways that transcend time.

2. Share a Slice with Someone Else

Grief can feel isolating, but sharing can bring comfort. Maybe invite a friend over for pie, or drop off a piece to someone who could use a little extra love today. Acts of kindness, even in small ways, create connections that help ease the loneliness.

3. Write Down a Favorite Memory

Instead of letting the sadness take over, take a moment to write down a favorite Pie Day (or pie-related) memory with your lost loved one. Did they always sneak extra whipped cream? Did they insist on taste-testing before the pie had cooled? Reflecting on these moments can be a healing way to keep his memory alive.

4. Start a New Tradition

While keeping old traditions can be comforting, starting a new one can be just as meaningful. Maybe try a different kind of pie each year, or invite someone new to celebrate with you. Finding a fresh way to honor the day can be a step toward embracing both the past and the present.

5. Toast to the Love That Still Remains

Grief doesn’t mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry love forward, even in different ways. So maybe, as I take that first bite of pie, I’ll raise my fork in his honor. (More on that fork in another post.) I’ll whisper a quiet “thank you” for the love we shared, the laughter we had, and the sweetness he brought into my life.

Pie Day may look different now, but love — just like pie — is something best when shared, even if only in memory.