Celebration of Life for Toad!

Hi, my name is Charis and I’m raising funds for my boyfriend’s Celebration of Life. Robert Todd Pickens. I was his wife and he my husband in every way but the law. We had planned on getting married in 2022, but that will never happen now.

On12/3/2021, he was tragically and unexpectedly taken from us. Left behind are myself, my 2 children, his son , both our Moms and his sister. Todd had made it his mission to make me a stay at home Mom and caregiver to both of our elderly Mothers who live with us. And he had finally done it! I quit working in October. With this catastrophic loss, I’m left alone to try and fulfill his dreams.

Our immediate needs are to be able to pay for a Celebration of Life for him. Secondly would be help to keep me at home for a few months so that I may continue to care for his mom. Her health is fragile and I just brought her home from another hospital stay this evening!

Todd was my first love, stealing my heart at 16. We didn’t make it then, but always pined for each other. In 2010 we reunited on Facebook. He was going through his divorce and custody battle, and I was happily married. But our friendship was renewed and we became confidants regardless of the states that separated us.

Fast forward to 2017; I moved back to Las Vegas and soon after got divorced. We hung out as friends, swimming or going to the park with all of our kids. Just after the first anniversary of my divorce being final, Todd confessed his feelings for me. And the last 3+ years were the happiest of my life! In July we had visited my family and friends in Oregon, and Todd secured my Father’s blessing to marry me.

We are all reeling from the loss of Todd! I’m devastated, his mom is heartbroken, the kids are sad and struggling with processing everything. His sister lost her first best friend.

Todd was smart, funny and incredibly intuitive! He would buy food for hungry people, find clothes for people that were cold, and help in any way that he could! Fixing cars for friends, giving rides, being a listening ear and willing to be vulnerable. My Toad was life changing! I never knew that someone could love me the way he did, care for me the way he did.

Todd was a Proud Union Ironworker for close to 20 years, before his injuries made him give it up. He loved his trade! There isn’t much in Vegas that he hadn’t touched over the years.

Todd was a devoted father! Not only to his child, but to mine as well. His son was the best gift he ever received. 

I don’t know what else to say… Todd was my love, my safety, my rock. I’m never going to be the same. But I want to celebrate his life more than mourn his death!

Thank you if you read this far. I just want to honor my baby ! May you please help?