I don’t think I’ll ever forget Sam Darling - her stunning blue eyes that made every star in the galaxy dimmer, brunette hair that even when messy still looked beautiful and her laugh. Her laugh was this melodious sound that I could never get enough of - like an eternal song you have on repeat but seemingly never gets old. Every time the record starts again, you find a new chord or note that you fall in love with.

I still remember the first time I saw her. Urban Lights was established in 2008 and I was headed there to do a photoshoot with a couple that had recently gotten engaged. With only five minutes left in the shoot, the last picture was taken and in the background stood Sam. She gazed up at the lights in awe as if it was the first time she had seen electricity - the same she sent through my body at that moment. The couple left the lights, but Sam remained. I quickly snapped a picture of the lights with her in the bottom right corner and trust me when I say she didn’t even need to try to look like a model - everything about her was ten times better than one.

I smiled down at the camera and she looked away from the lights for a split second to lock eyes with me. That moment became one that I will cherish forever. She smiled and looked back up at the lights and I finally was able to approach her. I ruffled my short hair before putting the lens cap on my camera and silently walking up beside her and taking on the awkward form of my socially inept self. “Hi, uh, I just wanted to come introduce myself. I’m Sterling. I was wondering if I could take a picture of you?”

She turned towards me and smiled with such sincerity it could melt even the cruelest of hearts. “Absolutely. Where would you like me to stand?” I pointed her to the center of the row and I stepped back to line up the shot. After getting a few angles, I showed her the pictures and accidently flipped into the one I took of her when she wasn’t looking. “I think this one is my favorite.”

“I’m sorry, I know I should have asked but the lights looked great and you-” She stopped me mid sentence. “It’s okay, love. You have a talent and I don't want you to ever stop taking a candid like this. It shows the world what it looks like when nobody is watching.”

My eyes lit up in excitement while my cheeks flushed red. “Thank you.. Oh, I never got your name.” I stated before taking out my phone to put her contact in.

“Sam Darling.”

And that is where it all began.