The Final 24

Taylor Swift Concert 2011

(Photo taken by Kerrie Marolda)

3.9.08

     Brandon and I first met almost five years ago. He was my closest guy friend, Dave's, best friend. We started out as just friends; at the time I was dating someone who would eventually prove himself unfaithful. Brandon proclaimed his feelings for me almost from the start, but I was in no rush to get into a relationship. After denying him twice, he seemingly gave up and pursued someone else. For some reason, this made me extremely jealous. It was then that I knew there was something more between us that I hadn't realized until that moment, it took losing him as a friend to realize I wanted him as my boyfriend. I was sure he would never even want to talk to me again. I am a very traditional person, and I never chase guys, but something told me I needed to act on this feeling. It took all of my courage to text him one night to admit that deep down, I cared for him. To my surprise, he answered back. And the rest is history.
     Brandon and I have been together since March 9, 2008. He's truly my best friend in the entire world, and he knows me better than anyone. We have had our ups and downs over the years, but in the end we always realize we are better together. Why spend time without someone when you know in your heart that all's you want is to have them in your life? He is so incredibly special to me, and I would do anything in the world for him. We have so many hopes and dreams for the future, and it would be a shame to see it end, but I would consider myself extremely lucky to be able to spend my final hours by his side. I love him more than I ever thought I could love anyone. I don't like to think about what would happen if our lives ended, but if I knew we only had 24 hours left to live, I have a pretty good idea of what I'd like to do with him by my side.

     First off, we would wake up bright and early, I wouldn't want to waste any time on our last day. We would have a breakfast fit for a king, and stuff ourselves until we can't eat another bite. We would indulge ourselves with chocolate chip pancakes, Belgian waffles, and scrambled eggs with ham and cheese. After we've had more than our fair share, we would go for a walk in the woods just to talk about everything we've been through in our lives. We'd end up at Trout Pond, and fish for a while as we reminisced on our past. When we grow bored of that, we would go four-wheeling in our jeeps, and probably end up getting a last use out of our dirt bikes. We would ride them all the way Stony Brook in Norfolk, Massachusetts. It's a nature preserve and my favorite place in the entire world. While feeding the goslings and geese that wander the sanctuary, we would unfold a blanket on the ground, and unpack our picnic lunch. He would bring a meal from his favorite restaurant, Taco Bell, while I would choose delicious angel hair pasta and minestrone soup from my favorite place, Olive Garden. We'd watch the clouds float past us, and name the shapes they created as they shape shifted up in the sky. Once we had devoured our mouthwatering lunch, we would catch a plane to Alaska (It would have to be extremely fast so that we don't waste much time). Brandon wants so badly to visit Alaska, and it would be a shame if he didn't get the opportunity to before he died. We would explore the state, reveling in the scenery and the gorgeous wildlife. I'd ski and he'd snowboard in the soft powder. To make things fair, we would take another super fast plane to Africa, which I have dreamed about going since I was a little girl. I've always wanted to see the lions, elephants, zebras, and other animals which call the country their home. Finally, I'd have a chance to view the breathtaking views in Africa, where some of the most beautiful animals in the world reside. A safari through the Savannah would give us a chance to see the amazing animals that roam the land. We would enjoy a delectable steak dinner with wine as the temperature went down. The sun would slowly began to fall, and we we'd realize our time was severely limited. We would watch the sun fade from the horizon, the stunning pink sky turning to a dark blue. Laying in bed curled up with him for the last time, I would be much less afraid of death. He would be going with me, and we'd be in the journey to whatever comes next together. With him, I would have nothing to fear and I could go with a peaceful feeling. I will have no worries. Death may be inevitable, but love is something that cannot be broken by the severing of two lovers lives. It will be all that remains when all else has perished. I would hope that the last twenty-four hours of our lives together would be the best yet.

"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Song: Better Together Artist: Jack Johnson

Link Courtesy of: jamesdiehard's youtube