Ali Baldassare, 28
North End
I was fortunate. I was actually on my way home when I got word of what had happened. I was very hesitant about posting anything on Facebook that shed the day in a positive light, because I felt bad for people who got hurt. I did end up posting a few pictures of me because a friend of mine wrote a post on Facebook saying that, even though this day was completely overshadowed by tragic events, you should be proud of your accomplishments, because that’s what the day’s about. Initially I did feel bad. I felt terrible. I felt like the day was taken away, it was stolen.
—As told to Boston magazine. Photo by Scott M. Lacey