Cooper reflects on the events that led up to his present circumstances, going all the way back to high school, when he fell in love with Finch’s mother, Cindy. While they were only friends at the time, Cooper continued to think about her as she left for college and he joined the military after the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent War on Terror. During Basic Training, he met Jake and became an Army Ranger. He continued to correspond with Cindy during his deployment, which he does not describe in detail. When Cooper returned home, he noticed an increase in his confidence but also began having nightmares and panic attacks. Jake invited him to his family’s cabin, giving him a key and telling Cooper he could come up whenever he needed to.

Seven years after meeting her, Cooper worked up the courage to tell Cindy that he loves her. Although Cindy’s parents, the Lovelands, did not approve of her growing romantic relationship with Cooper, Cooper and Cindy were thrilled when she got pregnant. One night not long after the baby was born, all three of them were in a car accident. Cooper—who was driving—and Finch survived, but Cindy died.