Forever and Ever, Babe
10/4/24
One week to get everything ready for the start of the rest of my life—I’m finally going to ask Sandra to marry me. Next week is the anniversary of the day she changed my life, and it feels like the perfect time to turn that into an eternity. I’ve been saving for this ring for years and put everything I had into it. The diamond almost doesn’t look real—it’s so big. I can’t wait to see the look of excitement on her face when I get down on one knee.
Before her, I was so alone. I struggled to get out of bed every day; I simply had no will to live. I could see my life coming to an end right before me. I could feel the noose tightening around my throat, the blade touching my veins, and the barrel at my temple. But Sandra gave me a reason to wake up—a reason to live. Her smile, her bright green eyes, her tender, supple hands, the way she laughs when she’s nervous, the subtle freckles across the nape of her neck that you can only see when her hair is in a perfect but messy bun—every detail was another discovery, and each a new lease on life.
Right now, Sandra is at yoga at Twisted Tantra over on 6th Blvd. She’s there from one to three, and then she’s getting her hair done by Francisco at Whipped Salon, which usually only takes about forty-five minutes. She’s blonde now, but I think she’s considering changing to brunette. That’s what she was when we first met. It almost feels like fate.
Five years ago, Sandra and I met on the A-line coming back from the city. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her; it took me off my feet. I found myself weak in the knees, grasping for a seat. She had her headphones on—probably listening to Bright Twins, her favorite artist at the time. Her smile was infectious as she bobbed her head to the music, her messy brown hair swaying.
When I noticed she’d taken her headphones off, I approached her and was intoxicated by the sweet smell radiating from her. I never thought beauty had a scent, but until then I’d never encountered true beauty. Conversation was awkward at first, but soon you could tell there was something between us. I couldn’t believe we ended up getting off at the same stop; it gave us that much more time to talk. I walked her home, and as she shut the door behind her, she took another look through the blinds at me. My heart fluttered—she needed a second look!
10/7/24
Sandra has class today: microeconomics at nine, advanced calculus at noon, politics at two-thirty. Then she goes to work from four to eleven. She wants to go into finance to get as far away from waitressing as possible.
I left her dinner the other night since she doesn’t like the food they serve at the restaurant. I love seeing the look of surprise on her face when she opens the bag. I always keep what I made a secret.
After work, she went to shower, and I saw her homework lying on the table. It looked like it was written in a foreign language. But it’s always so easy for her. I watched her tear through the work in record time, as if it were basic addition.
I love watching her work—the way her hair hangs over her face while she writes and then how she sweeps it back with the end of her pencil. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Just four more days until I can call her my fiancée.
10/11/24
Today is the day! Ugh, I can barely contain myself. It’s going to be perfect. It’s beautiful out—the leaves are changing—and our walk in the park will end with the start of the rest of our lives together.
Sandra and I always go for a walk in the park on Fridays, and I think doing it during our normal routine will make it even more surprising. I have the exact spot planned: overlooking the stream where she scattered the ashes of Milly, her dog who died four weeks ago. Milly would run around in the water here and light up Sandra’s world. Sandra got Milly when she moved here—she was alone, just like I was before she entered my life. Milly was her best friend, her world. I know that death broke her, but it brought us closer together. Now nothing can be between us. And I know she’ll forever be grateful that I was there holding Milly as she went.
Sandra, my love, today we become one forever.
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10/29/24
HEADLINE: Police Identify Fifth Victim in Notorious “Engagement Killer” Murders
Today, police confirmed Sandra Hopkins, 24, as the fifth victim in the string of mysterious killings attributed to the so-called Engagement Killer.
All five victims were found stripped of clothing, wearing nothing but an expensive engagement ring. None of the women were engaged or in relationships. Investigators are looking into jewelers in the area to determine whether a connection can be found between the rings. Authorities have determined the rings to most likely have been stolen and not purchased by the killer himself, but no connection has been found.
No suspects have been named, but authorities believe the culprit to be a middle-aged white male, likely a recluse. They urge anyone with information to come forward and warn that women in their early twenties should be highly aware of their surroundings, especially at night.
