Wolftracks- wow... that's my first reaction (after reading the whole thread of course) You guys crossed paths for a reason & I'm really glad he was in a 'place' that his actions that night were a turning point for him to get clean again. A lot of times they're just not ready yet to feel anything & keep drinking.
Your whole story brought tears to my eyes though... I've lost 2 babies now, at term, to unexplained stillbirth, then placental abruption. Thankfully our first child was too young for both losses to know what happened. But I really felt for my husband who had to go right back to work (Navy & after our last loss, had to deploy 3mo later).
I'm not so much a drinker, really, & I've NEVER been the kind to just drink. Before my husband deployed, a friend introduced me to sparkling wine (more like a dessert wine) & I really liked it, but I really had to be in the mood for it or it still tasted nasty lol. My husband & I weren't in a healthy place when he deployed & after he left, I figured I would enjoy me some wine one night. I'll never be able to describe it, but it took hold that night & THANK GOD I noticed it after only a couple weeks, that it had become something I "needed" rather than a simple enjoyment occasionally.
I can definitely understand how it can take hold during the throws of grief, we're so numb to everything, yet the alcohol really does help remove any more feeling we might have, it gets so easy... Not that it's an excuse of course, but now I can understand how it happens & can easily take someone over.
You were a blessing to this couple. I'm very sorry for your loss and theirs, but I'm happy that your paths crossing had such an effect on this man & it's neat that you got to have that bit of closure of running into him & hearing him recount that night & be able to say it changed him. Unfortunately so many wait until they've caused serious damage or death to another while intoxicated, or they never change & continue in such destructive behavior.