“As we approached the cemetery, I unexpectedly started crying. I’d spent so many painful, isolating days here. I hated this place. It had become a prison within my mind. The emotion hit me, and Shelly grabbed my hand. It took time for us to find Dana’s grave. I started to feel panicked, surprised I had lost the ability to walk right to it. Shelly gave me a big hug as I was, once again, overcome with emotion. I felt a sense of freedom, finally at peace.”

‘We found her gravesite. ‘Do you want time alone?’ I was overcome with emotion. ‘I want you with me.’: Widow finally feels ‘peace’ visiting late fiancee’s grave 30 years after fatal car accident

‘I play out the details of that final weekend in my head. Struck by how quickly it was all over. Just like that, she was gone. Gone forever.’
“It intensifies on November 8th. That is the day my soulmate came home for Veterans Day weekend. It was a Thursday evening, as it is this year. She kissed me goodbye, then my life was turned upside down.”

‘I smiled, kissed her and said, ‘I love you.’ That’s the last time I saw Dana. The next morning, she died instantly.’
“Society believes that once you fall in love again you have moved on and replaced the one that has died. This is such a fallacy.”

‘Three more weeks and we will never have to say goodbye again.’: Man recounts ‘fairy tale’ love story after fiance’s tragic death in car accident
“Dana was different than all the other girls. She had that classic All-American, girl next door quality. I was in awe. We became serious ‘girlfriend-boyfriend’ immediately. Monday night, we stood out in front of her house to say goodnight. We hugged, kissed and talked for 30 minutes. I smiled, kissed her again and said, ‘I love you.’ That’s the last time I saw Dana.”