Tell us about something you have created that you love:
I’ve never considered myself particularly creative, but there’s something special about this puzzle. It’s a collection of memories from my trip to New York City in 2013—a trip I had dreamed about for as long as I can remember. Since I was a kid, I always envisioned myself being in Times Square for the New Year’s Eve ball drop. For years, though, circumstances kept getting in the way. Once I joined the military, that dream seemed even more distant.
Then, in late 2012, I found out I would be deploying to Afghanistan for a year. That Christmas, I made a promise to my family: once I returned, I would go to New York City for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Sure enough, by December 2013, I was there—experiencing Broadway shows, visiting museums, seeing the 9/11 memorial, and, of course, celebrating the New Year in Times Square.
I spent a week there, and took hundreds of pictures to capture every moment. When I got home, I wanted to find a way to display those memories. One morning, I was walking through a store when I stumbled upon a puzzle of Times Square. It clicked: I could build the puzzle, surround it with photos from my trip, and frame the whole thing.
It became more than just a puzzle to me—it’s a tangible reminder of the promise I made, the journey I took, and the dreams that came true.
Thank you again to @fredhincanada for the questions and tag.
