Green Butterfly

Ishu and Laura Rao were married eight months ago. Until a little more than a week ago, they shared a home in Goleta, California with Ishu’s 12-year-old and 14-year-old daughters, three dogs and one cat. When a fast moving wildfire swept through their neighborhood just after bedtime, it reduced their home and nine others to ashes. The Raos only just managed to escape with the girls and their pets. Laura was in the habit of taking her rings off before settling in for the night, so her engagement and wedding rings were lost along with everything else. Later, as they sifted through the rubble, Ishu found what was left of his wife’s rings. He dropped to one knee and proposed again. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. She's the glue in our family, and I adore her to pieces. If I can put a smile on her face I’m going to do it,” he said.