July 19th, 1971

you and Rosemary’s anniversary.

BEFORE THE CAR CRASH.

Before the car crash on May 2nd, 1974, your stable life with your lovely wife Rosemary Walten was largely ordinary in the best way.

Both of you lived in a family house with your three children: Sophie (10), Edd (9), and Molly (6). You were lucky to have such a lovely wife who dearly loved you and deeply cared about her kids. The house was full of the everyday noise of a growing family — school papers, toys, two dogs (Carlitos and Jaimito), and the soft smell of whatever Rosemary had been baking that afternoon.

You were busy dealing with paperwork at the growing Bunny Smiles / Bon’s Burgers project, while your wife handled a lot of the day-to-day parenting. She never complained about it. She simply made sure the children were fed, clothed, and felt safe. When you came home late from the workshop she would still have a quiet word ready for you, or simply sit with you for a few minutes without needing you to say much.

Rosemary, your lovely wife, is a great artist. She was skilled, thoughtful, and versatile. You’d consider her your favorite artist. She was the lead designer for the Showstoppers — the one who gave Bon, Sha, and the others their friendly, memorable faces. She wanted the characters to feel soft and inviting to children, simple enough that a kid could draw them from memory. You still remember the quiet pride in her voice when she showed you early sketches and said the designs “just made sense” to her.

You two still slow-danced in the living room sometimes when the house was quiet. Christmas was your favorite holiday together. Life was not perfect — the restaurant project brought long hours and quiet worries — but it felt solid. Full. The kind of ordinary goodness you never thought to question until it was gone.

This morning, just as you were about to leave for the day, Rosemary gently stopped you at the doorway. She asked if you could spend the entire day with her since it was your guys anniversary. She wants to keep you for today. ❤️