story9097.xml
Title
story9097.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-02-26
911DA Story: Story
I moved from Chicago to New York in 1997 to be with the love of my life. We lived together in Westchester and took the MTA to Grand Central when we would visit the city. We survived the Millennium crisis in fine fashion. So on the birthday of my girlfriend in the spring of 2001, I planned a trip into NYC. We spent the day together exploring the marvelous beauty and wonder of Battery Park and The World Trade Center. We browsed the underground mall that rivaled any suburban monstrosity. Then, as evening approached, dressed in our finest clothes, to Windows on the World we went. Standing in the lobby, admiring the architectural achievement that were the Twin Towers, I just had to say in awe that, ?There is no way these towers will ever fall?. So up we went. As I viewed the Brooklyn Bridge from high above, I glanced to my right and was amazed at the sight of another building as impressive as the one I was in. We entered the restaurant and had the most memorable night ever. I proposed to my girlfriend, and she accepted. We were truly on top of the World.
On the morning of the 11th, I put a suit on to head off once again on the Metro North to Grand Central. I had job interviews. You see, I just had to work in New York City. So off I went to take the scenic ride to the center of the World. My phone rang, I answered. It was my fianc?e. A plane just hit one of the Twin Towers. My thoughts immediately recall the B-25 incident at The Empire State Building and really thought nothing of it. Then, as I viewed the images on television, saw how serious it looked. As I watched the second plane hit live on national TV, I became numb. I slouched to the floor in disbelief. It quickly turned into denial, and my brain and body simply shut down. The Towers that I had grown to know and love...were gone. Friends, neighbors, police officers, firefighters, everyday people...were gone. I, as many of us, lost so much on that day.
A year later, I finally came out of my state of shock. It turned to depression. My fianc?e and I broke up. I left to return to Chicago. I am receiving treatment and am trying to piece my life back together again. I will, but there will be a few big pieces missing. It has taken me this long to even string enough letters together to create a word in order to share this story. I wasn?t in The World Trade Center, so I can?t tell you what they lost, I only know how adversely it affected my life. Let us never forget.
On the morning of the 11th, I put a suit on to head off once again on the Metro North to Grand Central. I had job interviews. You see, I just had to work in New York City. So off I went to take the scenic ride to the center of the World. My phone rang, I answered. It was my fianc?e. A plane just hit one of the Twin Towers. My thoughts immediately recall the B-25 incident at The Empire State Building and really thought nothing of it. Then, as I viewed the images on television, saw how serious it looked. As I watched the second plane hit live on national TV, I became numb. I slouched to the floor in disbelief. It quickly turned into denial, and my brain and body simply shut down. The Towers that I had grown to know and love...were gone. Friends, neighbors, police officers, firefighters, everyday people...were gone. I, as many of us, lost so much on that day.
A year later, I finally came out of my state of shock. It turned to depression. My fianc?e and I broke up. I left to return to Chicago. I am receiving treatment and am trying to piece my life back together again. I will, but there will be a few big pieces missing. It has taken me this long to even string enough letters together to create a word in order to share this story. I wasn?t in The World Trade Center, so I can?t tell you what they lost, I only know how adversely it affected my life. Let us never forget.
Collection
Citation
“story9097.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 19, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/4548.