A treasured memory: Kim Manlove and his son, David, in the late 1980s. David died in 2001 at the age of 16, in a drug-related drowning.
Kim Manlove/CNN iReport
As a child, David was always "full of joy with a hint of mischief," Manlove said.
Kim Manlove/CNN iReport
One of the last pictures of David before his death, wearing the red fuzzy visor that he loved so much; the family had it sealed in his casket when he was buried.
Kim Manlove/CNN iReport
Manlove and his wife, Marissa, went on to become leaders in the national recovery movement. They've made presentations for the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.
Kim Manlove/CNN iReport
After experiencing what often is described as the worst loss a person can endure, Manlove say he and his wife feel vastly enriched since David's death, and more connected to each other -- and their son -- than ever.