Nikki Salgot was on top of the world when her boyfriend, Sgt. Collin Rose, proposed to her. The couple from Missouri were planning on getting married on October 14, 2017.

But just months later, the sergeant from Wayne State University was tragically shot in the line of duty. He passed away at the hospital at the young age of 29 years old.

Nikki suffered a terrible loss.

Then, almost one year after his tragic death, the grieving woman decided there was something she needed to do, no matter how difficult it ended up being.

The result of this decision quickly went viral, and now people all over the world are finding inspiration in her show of absolute strength…

Nikki Salgot was in love with a kindhearted and generous man named Collin.

Sgt. Collin Rose was a five-year veteran of the Wayne State University Police Department in Detroit.

When Collin proposed, Nikki was absolutely thrilled.

The elated couple set their wedding date for October 14, 2017.

But then, a terrible tragedy struck

Just a few months after Collin’s proposal, he was shot on duty while investigating a car theft.

Collin passed away at the hospital on November 23, 2016, at 29 years old.

For a long time, Nikki was so overwhelmed with grief that she couldn’t bring herself to open up about her fiancé’s death.

Nearly one year passed, and Nikki decided she needed to do something for herself, and for Collin.

She went ahead with her wedding photo shoot. Only now, she would be posing solo.

Nikki planned to present her family members with the photos on what would have been her and Collin’s wedding anniversary.

Rachel Heller, an amazing wedding photographer and Nikki’s former classmate, was more than happy to head into the forest with her to take the photos.

The brave bride wore the beautiful gown she’d already bought for her wedding

Collin was always very proud to be a police officer, so it was very fitting that Nikki posed with his flag, cap, and police badge.

Nikki broke her silence on social media to express her gratitude to Rachel in helping her make the photo shoot possible.

“She captured images that still vividly show the pain left behind; images that show I am still able to laugh, smile and be me; images that show this loss has not and will not destroy me; and my favorite, images that show I am still just as fierce as ever and refuse to let this define me.”

Though Nikki acknowledges it’s been extremely difficult seeing her story get so much attention, she says the photos remind her of how much she and Collin loved one another.