His First Quarter-Century

He was 26 when he died in the line of duty. Your story together lasted a quarter of a century. But you feel that your story isn't over yet.

It was the summer of the third year after he died when you found the video of him preparing to propose. This time, he had no friend to help him plan it. He practiced alone and recorded himself for reference.

You watched him hold up a little red box, the diamond ring inside sparkling brightly. You watched him rehearse his proposal over and over in your small apartment. He stumbled through it at first, then gradually grew more practiced. He straightened his tie and prepared to try one last time when someone knocked at the door.

It had to be you coming home. In the video's final frame, you saw him smile, confident and bright.

You remember smiling at first. As you smiled, tears began to fall. You laughed and cried until, in the end, you couldn't tell whether you were crying or laughing.

You feel that your story together isn't over.

Theme: Memories