EARLIER THIS MONTH, a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California claimed the lives of 35 young people.
23-year-old Griffin Madden was one of the victims – in her grief, his girlfriend Saya Tomioka appealed to Facebook to help her find a picture of them that was taken in New York a few years ago, just as they left a Broadway musical.
I cried, and we kissed. Some random photographer captured this very moment, this very kiss… I never got his name. I’ve always longed to find this particular photograph and thank the photographer. I need some light right now.
Facebook responded to her call – Tomioka’s post was shared hundreds of times and eventually spotted by a friend of the photographer, Arken Avan, who told ABC that he remembered their faces.
“They really looked so adorable,” he said. “I saw her lipstick on his cheek and she was having a pretzel that time when I photographed them.”
Avan shared the lovely photos with a grateful Tomioka, who then wrote a thank you letter to the photographer, the people who helped her find the photo, and Griffin himself.
I’ve finally found you. I sobbed when I saw this photo… and then, I immediately laughed uncontrollably. Life is so strange. I’ve lost you, but I’ve never felt stronger in my life. Through our many years of love and growth, I learned how to be strong from you.
I loved you openly and endlessly from the moment I laid my eyes on you on my first day at UC Berkeley as a freshman. I promise you that I will never stop dancing; I’ll dance even harder. I will never stop laughing; I’ll laugh even louder. I will never stop loving; I’ll love even prouder.
“To my friends, family and strangers, thank you. There are no words that could even begin to explain my gratitude for you all.”
