Always a Family

StoryCorps has won a 71st Annual George Foster Peabody Award for our September 11 audio and animated shorts.
On the morning of September 11th, Michael Trinidad called his ex-wife, Monique Ferrer, from the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower to say goodbye. In the wake of his death, Monique tells the story of Michael's lasting legacy-the family they built together.
Directed by: The Rauch Brothers
Art Direction: Bill Wray
Producers: Lizzie Jacobs & Mike Rauch
Animation: Tim Rauch
Audio Produced by: Michael Garofalo & Nadia Reiman
Supervising Sound Recordist: Jackie Goodrich
Music: Fredrik
Label: The Kora Records
Publisher: House of Hassle
Funding provided by:
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Carnegie Corporation of New York
National Endowment for the Arts
Please tell us about your StoryCorps viewing experience: bit.ly/2wGGxNn

[@annabananabones08]

Here's a helpful PSA: if you watch more than one of these videos in a row, you will become dehydrated and hysterical for the rest of the day

[@neatchip123]

This is fact. I'm currently dying dehydration...

[@cjulez1]

+neatchip123 me too 😢

[@laurap4415]

OTOH, it's probably more emotionally cleansing than any "juice cleanse."

[@MikeMine2000]

i now cant stop crying/laughing after seeing your comment XD

[@buddyboog6661]

Anna Vogel and I'm in hysterics

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

A note from my research - on this day, Monique's second husband was also home, and Michael got on the phone with him to to say "Hey, my kids are gonna need you now more than ever - take care of them."

[@cr0ssingthenet723]

m3rrys0ngstr3ssThat... Added a lot more emotion to the sort... I need a tissue xD

[@tfallspark5104]

m3rrys0ngstr3ss Ok. That hit me hard.

[@chadrock4859]

Stfu

[@mindzaj8399]

m3rrys0ngstr3ss dude, can you not lie just so this story seems more upsetting, its good to remember people but I don't think he'd have time to do that if THE BUILDING JUST GOT HIT BY A PLANE

[@ashtonmills6647]

There were a few hours for those to evacuate until it all went up in smoke filling the lungs. That would've given them time to evacuate the first few floors not all the way up. If a building gets hit it doesn't instantly kill them.

[@jediaray8847]

When her voice broke when she said school, I actually shed a tear

[@lucifer82666]

School really does make you cry 😢

[@imsupergodd1514]

sira ulo I was tearing up and then I read ur reply, thank you for cheering up my day😂

[@lucifer82666]

@@imsupergodd1514 aww, I'm glad to hear that! You're welcome! Have a nice day/night 😊

[@trubador09]

Yeah, me too. I started to cry. I wondered if she regrets not letting her daughter talk to her father one last time.

[@jediaray8847]

@@trubador09 she was too young to understand that she was never going to see her father again. It probably was the wrong choice but I'm sure she did what she thought was best

[@smoothkidd272k6]

Im a wrestling fan and the little girl that was there is Thea, aka Zelina Vega on WWE NXT. And I know her dad would be so proud of her. Hes one of the reasons she became a wrestling fan and wrestler.

[@PyroSirBrad]

Oh my God, my heart.

[@thomasmuller1425]

Now she's not only one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, she's also the 1st ever Queen of the Ring. So I agree that her dad would be proud of her.

[@biggirldes150]

I didn't know that her dad at the Time but now I do it's so sad 😢😭 but I remember that

[@ZekeorSomething]

I just discovered this it’s sad

[@christiannataylor2735]

this made me so angry at those fucked up people and how they had the audacity to take so many lives like they had the right to end others. I hope with all my heart you can somehow heal from your loss, he really was too good a man

[@zoecastillo632]

+Christianna Taylor And do you feel angry for all the innocent people the US military has killed since this happened in revenge? I bet you don't care about them.

[@christiannataylor2735]

Zoë Castillo I only hate those who harm those without reason, so I'd probably would hate the living guts of the U.S. military. I'm ashamed to be ignorant of how we are treating others. I guess I see ourselves as peace keepers rather than soldiers, but even my father has delivered killing blows indirectly during his service. The military has never been an option for me because I don't want to kill I think there's always another way. There isn't very many stories about the other end receiving us. I wouldn't be surprised to hear how depraved some of our troops behave considering how our police act here in our homeland

[@zoecastillo632]

Christianna Taylor Well, credit at least for recognising that. And no you won't hear stories from the other side because that's how propaganda works. It's the same with these videos, although un-intentionally in-cases like this and like I have nothing against the people in these videos, you or Americans in general but I get really angry when I see the callousness that I find from most Americans on the internet here. So I apologise if I came across as hostile, it wasn't really my intention.

[@mikemyers1047]

Amen to that!

[@christiannataylor2735]

@@zoecastillo632 2 years late and finding this video again. It's sad that we do this to eachother period. We nuked Japan. People were in there homes, babies, children, families. That is why I could never join the military. People are not pawns, and it's disgusting that governments consider others that way. Society today breeds sociopaths, people see empathy as a weakness.

[@GenevieveThornton]

When her voice broke and she started crying, it's incredibly hard to hold your own emotion back. I wish this family the very best and thank you StoryCorp for sharing their story with us!

[@cdclagett]

Michael and Monique's daughter Thea currently wrestles In WWE's developmental territory NXT under the name Zelina Vega.

[@mindzaj8399]

cdclagett dude no, stop joking, this is a fucking memorial

[@cdclagett]

Not a joke, she's talked about this multiple times and was even featured in a documentary called "Children of 9/11". kzbin.info/www/bejne/gl6Tg4OemJd1iM0 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelina_Vega

[@ninjaman815]

Mindz Aj He’s telling the truth

[@rem11l]

@@mindzaj8399 yeah you're a dickhead for assuming he's joking. Do your research before you speak

[@Jomster777]

Oh shit son, he spitting facts

[@kamrynmorgan3507]

I'm not crying your crying

[@mikaylaestrada1293]

Kamryn Morgan how did you know---😢😢

[@creepcake3971]

I don't mean to be rude but.....you're*

[@mylesj4380]

I am, and so are you.

[@tun7317]

No i'm not my eyes just are sweating...

[@Smoothay1]

CreepCake bruh stop correcting other ppl grammar when ur grammar is wrong too

[@madz2013]

The thing that these videos have taught me, is that no matter who we are, what beliefs or political views we have, everyone has a story and memories they cherish. I realize now that life's entirely too short to dwell on hatred and sadness.

[@Eulogy080]

This made me tear up a little...Life is such a fragile thing, you never know when you or someone close could die. When things like this is gonna happen.

[@thelightfixture]

It’s why it’s so important to end each conversation with someone you care about with “I love you”. Even if you’re mad or upset at them, imagine how bad you’d feel if the last thing you said to them was something hurtful.

[@CloverPandaQ]

i want to give this woman a hug.

[@VanillaSaysHi]

Genuinely heartbreaking. He may not be here, but he’s in within all of us now.

[@vo117man]

I visit this video every year around 9/11 to remind myself about the loss of life and the people who were affected by it. Requiescat In Pacem.

[@catherinedriesse7311]

I Love This Story, 'Cause It Hit Me Hard At Home..I Wish That 9/11 Never Should've Happend But It Did...We're Never Gonna Forget That Horrific Tragedy..Ever...*Crie's.*

[@LilyPichu]

;_; I can't stop crying

[@airillegend6932]

Ok lol

[@ellie_bells4988]

o woah 8 years ago o_o

[@astronomy1889]

LilyPichu WHAT

[@rivlx]

Lilypichu damnnn 8 years

[@DailyClipsz1]

We got you fam, even 8 years later

[@damiencrossley7497]

When a man is making THAT CALL, he's done crying .....only to start again!.....HE WAS A MAN AMONG MEN!

[@Lizzyluvsu2]

HIS DAUGHTER IS A WRESTLER NOW 😢 hearing his daughters perspective also makes me tear up

[@ladyv2480]

Wow. This really hit home. 😢 Monique, you're an amazing woman, thank you for sharing this and #StoryCorps you did an amazing job. RIP Michael. 🌹🙏

[@redhood4747]

@paso fino because she loved him and wanted to remember him forever

[@Sweetumskitty1789]

@paso fino Fuck you dude.

[@tremonaaron4488]

Fun Fact. Micheal Trinidad is the father of WWE Superstar Zelina Vega. I just learned this and was surprised.

[@Alysa-Kins]

I am sooo sorry that he died. It's soo heart breaking to hear that the love of your life and your best friend died.

[@genenco1]

I'll just say I am sorry for their loss.

[@Nucci604]

I have not cried this much in a long time !

[@nanik4913]

I'm bawling.. I had to cover my mouth to try and stop from wailing because it just.. hits you so hard hearing their voice tremble and recall such emotional memories that you can feel that loss as well even if you never knew them

[@Heisenbran]

havent seen these stories in a long time, it's nice to come back and remember all the funny and sad stories from so many people

[@illusion887]

oh gawd, this is so deep.

[@deadaccount9444]

I know right

[@kingsslay9372]

So heartbreaking

[@ThefarryNem]

But its not deep? Its straight forward sad, there is nothing hidden

[@rosey2smooth]

@@ThefarryNem this is really sad that he was killed

[@Icarus166s]

I cried during the watching of these 9/11 videos. I was in New York on that day, and I know the stress of not knowing whether or not your family was safe that morning. I have put it out of my mind these last few years. Thank you, StoryCorps, for giving back to me the memory of all those who passed on that day. 9/11 inspired me to serve my country when I reached the age. Hurricane Katrina led me to join the Coast Guard. Love and respect to all those who lost someone that day.

[@filedriver]

Her daughter is now the manager of the current NXT champion in WWE

[@klunt40]

Just look at his daughter. A professional wrestler. He would be proud.

[@denisemarks5819]

All of the stories on this channel are beautiful and heartwarming. Thank you so much for putting all of these stories on You Tube! I look forward to listening to each and every one! God Bless you!

[@bubbzmakeup]

This was the only video that made me cry hysterically because I know how it feels to be in a young age to see how your parents fight a lot. Then be divorced. But what made me cry more about this video is that seeing your mom cry in a telephone call and knowing something went wrong. But later discovering that your dad died. Later you see that your mom and dad loved each other all along. ♥

[@scout8360]

*lays down Try’s not to cry Cry’s a lot

[@evarojas8680]

This story was very sad, Monique after 10 years she still remember and broke out into tears.

[@WhiteArrow76]

Michael's daughter Thea was one of eleven kids who were part of the documentary "Children of 9/11", in which they talk about their lives since the loss of a parent on 9/11. Today Thea is a professional wrestler, which she does in honor of her dad.

[@miniiuwu]

9/11 never forgotten

[@Thaulopi]

I did not cry. Not because this film was not sad, no, only because there will be no films for every at least every Afghan or Iraq Dad not coming home

[@405GamingRespawn]

I'm on the verge of crying but I can't stop watching these.

[@mrwhitecloud2]

I sobbed like a baby after watching this video. My heart goes out to anyone who lost somebody on that terrible, terrible day.

[@farrind]

I was similarly moved by the book Love, Greg and Lauren by a man whose wife (Lauren) was ALMOST killed that day but survived massive burns. He and his 1 yr old son waited and helped as she made the slow, courageous recovery talked about in this book.

[@Chiefs1983]

Zelina deserves the world and all the success she’s experiencing performing in the WWE.

[@ImperialJenga]

Binge watching these videos is a bad idea if you don't want to tear up

[@MasterTopHat42]

My god this is so sad at least he had the chance to say goodbye

[@Jhonmz]

This made me just start bursting into tears

[@SainnQ]

Coming across something like this in the morning before you fix your baby boy his food & get ready for the day is too heavy at 7am. My condolences Trinidad Family.

[@scootermeatbaal5642]

This deserves so much more love than it already has

[@themikenator93]

My heart goes out to the families of loved ones lost on the tragic events of 9/11... im usually good at keeping in my emotions but these videos really touch me to the point where i get stuffy nosed and tears literally stream down my face... wonderful videos

[@lpgurlnj]

This made me tear up so badly! RIP, Michael Trindad. Monique, you are so brave for sharing your story! God bless you and your family!

[@ashenew]

StoryCorps has been doing an amazing job telling the stories of those who died in the 9/11 and it's been amazing to learn how to appretiate my life better. Thank you StoryCorps.

[@cupcakemcfrost2665]

Crazy to think his daughter is now a WWE star

[@Yourlocalartist873]

Rest in peace Brother rest in peace

[@tomking2247]

This one always gets to me, even still

[@squidward-kun]

I love New York, and it's families like this that make it a great place, regardless of terrorist attacks or violence. This video is a beautiful tribute.

[@activegamer9696]

Michael Trinidad's daughter is WWE superstar Zelina Vega. How proud he must be.

[@Dynosawrio]

Stay strong man, good thing you are still here and props to your parents for trying their best

[@meinenapkinen9167]

God damn man why do only the good people go so quickly?

[@kell6702]

Well.... all the people has a hour for die.

[@yeetyeet1308]

Because God wants them up there

[@bricktam]

Just seeing the beginning, where the kids who have a shade of red are hugging their dad (whose blue shade represents his passing), puts tears in my eyes.

[@MizzStep45]

What a cute story. Hard not to shed a tear. Glad to know you two still loved each other no matter what caused the divorce, the love for each other and the family is still there and Im sure is still there today. :) You have not lost a best friend but you have gained an angel looking over you three

[@WhiteArrow76]

More than 3,000 children are said to have lost a parent in the 9/11 attacks. The Documentary "Children of 9/11", which is currently posted on KZbin, states the approximate number as being 3,051. Monique and Michael's daughter Thea, portrayed in this short, is featured in it. It's a really good documentary.

[@sheepstea9583]

Now this one made me cry

[@mlee8626]

It's amazing how true this old adage is: You don't realize what you've got until it's gone.

[@ningboy3274]

This is Zelina Vega's mom, sad story but it's cool she overcame this and went on to become one of the greatest women's professional wrestler in the sport today.

[@lovers4eternity]

I started to cry....how on Earth can anyone dislike this? You people have no hearts what so ever.

[@juandavila8746]

this low-key made me cry 😥

[@opnavesea]

9/11 is probably the one memory i remember most vividly from high school.

[@coolchrisable]

Fun fact his daughter is Zelina Vega and shes a pro wresler for WWE

[@lexyciel]

Beautiful story. It's tragic, but the fact that she can share it I'm sure is going to help her, as well as others in the healing process after 9/11.

[@davidparkes7741]

Interesting but sad factoid: Michael Trinidad's daughter is Zelina Vega in WWE.

[@MichaelSunny]

My god I got teary when her voice broke. All the love in the world to that family.

[@carolpotter4411]

I love all of your stories and videos! I like what you are all about and the fact that you are such an original concept! I cannot say enough about you, but I will help to spread the word by sharing your wonderful stories with Twitter, Facebook, and friends and family alike! Your simply awesome, and you're the best, #StoryCorps!

[@pingopopit8815]

R.I.P You were an amazing father and will always be missed.

[@ieatmice751]

I’m not crying you’re crying... Well... I suppose we’re both crying

[@alexx7430]

imagine getting told this information and then just walking over to your daughter and just hugging them and crying, not knowing how youre going to tell them that there dad is gone

[@bunnybro1775]

This is so sad.........but we can't change what happens

[@sionbrooks4747]

bunny bro17 No one said we could...

[@Skets.x.Czesko]

I wish we could

[@Coconasbaldshinyluminoushead]

@@Skets.x.Czesko we would do evil things

[@doctorzed7706]

19 years later and some of us still have not forgotten

[@BrianBomb]

Now her daughter is a WWE wrestler.

[@JiveChip]

Wait what

[@naomiabdul7838]

*Sweet*

[@justsomefacts2118]

its Zelina Vega look it up

[@nickirmen6671]

I saw her on TV the other day, she is kinda hot ngl

[@kieranbrain7765]

The comment she made about not knowing whether to put the daughter on the phone was so real and sad and human, It really made the story feel so much realer.

[@red6605]

What’s crazy is the daughter is now a professional wrestler under the name of Zelina Vega

[@Flosseveryday]

From NY Times Archive Michael A. Trinidad and Monique Ferrer divorced three years ago, they stayed friends. Ms. Ferrer got the custody of their two children, Thea, then 7, and Timothy, then 6, and it was understood that the children were "theirs" ‹ not "his" or "hers." Every other Friday, Mr. Trinidad would come to pick up the children for the weekend. "He was like a big kid," Ms. Ferrer said. "He would take them to the park, play ball games, call them silly names and just act silly." The three also went apple picking in upstate New York and sun-bathing on the Jersey Shore. After the first plane hit the trade center on Sept. 11, Mr. Trinidad, 33, who was working in telecommunications accounting for Cantor Fitzgerald, called Ms. Ferrer to say goodbye. " `What goodbye?' I asked him. `Are you going anywhere?' " Ms. Ferrer recalled asking him, unaware of the disaster. " `I love you, and I love the kids,' he said. `I am not going to make it out.' Then he asked to talk to my husband," Ms. Ferrer said. "Michael asked my husband to be his children's father and love them for him."

[@roberthouston2828]

You guys truly are good people thank you for honoring these people and may God continue to bless yall with many more interviews of these people. Monique i hope you and your family are doing well God Bless you.

[@MarioUcomics]

For all you WWE fans, the little girl is Zelina Vega

[@BlueCherryBerry]

It gets very dark fast, “and while our divorce….AND THEN ON 911”

[@Glowritz1]

my heart 💔

[@121jakethesnake]

Brilliant. Simply BrIlliant! Emotional and Tearjerking. Screw EVERY Single Cold-Hearted Basterd who Disliked this!

[@zachsworld6242]

I have never been a fan of Zelina Vega but her father was a good thing about her.

[@fuguf1sh]

I work with Michael's sister. I remember her on 9/11/2001. They are a very tight-knit family of 10 kids. Every year the family celebrates his life.

[@jonathanbermudez4646]

Who is cutting onions?

[@sillycookie]

Love is so powerful. It transcends death itself.

[@Briselance]

Well, divorcing and still being so cordial and friendly to each other... Not something we get to hear everyday. And it is, somehow, reassuring. Innit?

[@CrizzyCross94]

This is really sad. Poor woman. Poor children. At least he called to say he loved them.

[@ricardoguanipa8275]

Her daughter is now in the WWE by the name of Zelina Vega and she's married to Aleister Black

[@mmbar51]

Excellent work, Story Corps! This is a wonderful, touching tribute to all lost in & because of 9/11. Yes, we will move on, living & loving, 1 day at a time. We will never forget. 

[@gushers2594]

I didn’t know his daughter is now a famous WWE star look it up

[@coolragazzo94]

these videos crack open your heart and show you what emotions you truly have...

[@20t61]

The daughter was zelina Vega from wwe

[@TsunamiBomb95]

That hit me really hard, wow. This is so tragic and yet sweet. I love you story corps!

[@grantwilliams2650]

FUCK! This is so sad.

[@ErikjStudios]

May he find eternal rest, and may your family find peace in his memories.

[@santa901000]

Why did Monique divorce him?

[@tdproductions343]

Probably because they just thought that their relationship wasn't working out well or something like that.

[@lazycrittertheviking]

This is so sad! It made me cry when she was saying how they still loved each other.

[@thejarz]

From a memorial page about Michael Trinidad: After the first plane hit the trade center on Sept. 11, Mr. Trinidad... called Ms. Ferrer to say goodbye. " 'What goodbye?' I asked him. 'Are you going anywhere?' " Ms. Ferrer recalled asking him, unaware of the disaster. " 'I love you, and I love the kids,' he said. 'I am not going to make it out.' Then he asked to talk to my husband," Ms. Ferrer said. "Michael asked my husband to be his children's father and love them for him."

[@TheTome99]

Iam Portuguese and I was born 2 years before the 9/11, I have not seen the towers fall, but I indeed feel great pain listenning to all this stories, because and above all, humans were killed, and I can't hide that tears came rolling down my face when I heard the last part of this story. I just wanted to say a Big Thanks!! To StoryCorps, because you bring back stories that need to be shared with the whole world, no matter religion, political party/ ideology . Thanks again!!

[@klunt40]

I'm sure he's proud of them. His daughter is now a wwe Superstar

[@jquacks3027]

Family is everything that is something that fast and furious has taught me