Just one week after her husband of 70 years passed away, 91-year-old Emily Faron was left speechless by a surprise her late husband, Roy, had secretly arranged before his passing: a bouquet of flowers delivered to her on Valentine’s Day. As Emily opened the card, she read his final words—words that would stay with her forever.
The note, simple yet profound, read: “Emily, I love you forever. Roy.” It was a final act of love from a man who, even in his last days, wanted to ensure that his wife felt cherished. The emotional moment was captured by their granddaughter Jacqueline in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, resonating with millions around the world.
In an interview with The People, Jacqueline shared the origins of her grandparents' love story. It began in St. Louis in the 1950s when Emily visited the service station Roy owned. Encouraged by a mutual friend, Roy nervously agreed to a date with Emily. “My grandpa owned a service station, and my grandma would come in when she was younger. One of her friends who worked for him asked if he wanted to be set up with her,” Jacqueline recalled.
Their first date, on New Year’s Eve in 1951, marked the beginning of a love that would endure for over seven decades. They married on May 31, 1954, and built a life filled with quiet devotion, raising three children together. Through wars, illnesses, and the trials of life, Roy and Emily’s bond only deepened. “They didn’t argue much. As my grandpa got weaker, my grandma was always there for him, trying to take care of him as best she could,” Jacqueline shared.
In his final days, Emily was by Roy’s side, helping him with sponge baths and providing whatever care was needed. Knowing his time was short, Roy arranged for the flowers to be delivered on Valentine’s Day, ensuring that Emily would feel his love one last time. When Jacqueline and her cousins discussed how to comfort their grandmother on Valentine’s Day, they discovered Roy's secret plan. “I had sent a group text to my cousins saying we should get flowers for Valentine’s Day,” Jacqueline shared. “And my oldest cousin texted back saying he had talked to grandpa before he passed and that he had already arranged flowers for her.”
When Roy was alive, he shared one simple but powerful piece of advice on achieving a love like theirs: “Stay married, no matter what, just stay married.” His words reflected a lifetime of commitment, patience, and unwavering devotion.
As the family gathered to comfort Emily, a remarkable sight unfolded outside their home—about 20 bright red cardinal birds appeared, filling the trees. In many cultures, cardinals are seen as symbols of loved ones visiting from heaven. Jacqueline recalled the moment, saying, “When he passed away that day, there were probably 20 cardinal birds around the house. A cardinal is a symbol for family...we definitely thought it was a special moment.”
Roy's final gesture struck a chord with people around the world. Jacqueline shared that after posting the video, she received countless messages from strangers who found comfort in her grandparents' story. “People have been saying that similar moments have happened to them in their family, where a loved one who’s passed on has left flowers, or they’ve lost a grandparent this past week,” Jacqueline told The People. The outpouring of support served as a reminder that love has a way of reaching us, even after those we cherish are gone.
For Emily, those cardinals were a sign that Roy was still watching over her, still keeping his promise of forever. The flowers may fade, but the memory of that note—penned with love and sealed with a promise of forever—will remain in Emily’s heart, a symbol of a love story that outlasted time itself.
Reflecting on her grandparents’ love, Jacqueline offered a piece of advice that resonated with thousands online: “Take the pictures with your grandparents, because you never know how long they’ll be around.” Her words serve as a powerful reminder to cherish every moment, hold tightly to those we love, and never underestimate the power of a simple act of love.