Sam looked at Jen, tears in his eyes, and took one of her hands with both of his.

Sam spoke with a smooth, calm voice.

“Jen, these short few years we got to spend together have felt like a lifetime. When I tell a joke that leaves a room silent, I love that I can still hear your laugh.”

His mouth curled up just slightly at the edges.

“When we were alone I had the pleasure of being the only one to know your kiss.”

His tongue brushed his upper lip without thinking.

“When you were sad I was proud to be there to hold you up and lend you a shoulder to cry on.”

His eyes remained focused and still despite the water dropping from them down his cheek.

“and when you got sick…”

He finally closed his eyes for a moment and his steady voice began to waver.

“I was proud to be next to you and know the warmth of your hand as you stayed strong.”

Finally the tears spilled into his empty palms, as he dropped to his knees in the green grass in front of the stone.