In our new data visualization, we present the data from a Reddit user who wore a heart rate monitor when building up the courage to propose to his girlfriend. We follow 40 minutes of his heart beat, shortened down to 90 seconds, as he gets ready to pop the question.
If you imagine your heart as a playlist, you could think of it like this: On the walk to get ice cream you’re cruising along playing the Fugees rendition of “No Woman, No Cry”. It’s all good. Once you get that ice cream and you’re sitting and having a nice conversation you’re still feeling pretty casual with Kelis’ “Bossy” playing in your chest. But then the moment approaches. You’re about to ask the question as “I Wanna Love You Forever” by Jessica Simpson appropriately swells up in your core, and when the words finally come out you’re in full blown freak out mode as Guns n’ Roses’ “Welcome To The Jungle” is screaming into your arteries. Then your soulmate says yes. And you can finally relax. So you go find a park bench to sit on and enjoy the moment while “Halo” by Beyoncé internally commemorates the first day of the rest of your life.
Congratulations. You survived “The Jungle”!
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Written and Produced by Gabriel Reilich
Graphics by Jake Infusino
Music: Sufjan Stevens - Futile Devices (Shigeto Remix)
Source Data: https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2o1rfe/heart_rate_bpm_during_marriage_proposal_oc/
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.