So many things can happen in just one second. Your entire life can change in just one second. That’s what love can do.

I wrote this to remind all of us that just one possible second can do so many things for us —

It was the first week of college. As I looked up from one the many ice breakers, I saw a beautiful girl. As I looked at her, time seemed to completely slow down. Her brown hair waved in the wind. The sun made her smile just sparkle. Her green eyes seemed to sparkle. For that one second, I noticed all these things. I didn’t know her, but I felt a connection. A force was drawing me closer to her.

The next day, I saw her during my lunch hour. She was smiling from ear to ear. Her red lipstick glowed as bright as her smile. When her friends left and she was alone, I saw my opportunity. I found the courage to stand up and walk over to her. So many things crossed my mind. Nerves took over, but I dug deep.

“Excuse me. I don’t think you know who I am. But I noticed you yesterday, and I thought you were beautiful. I just had to introduce myself.” After introductions, I asked one of the questions males fear. “Would you want to get coffee with me sometime?” She pushed her hair out of the way, smiled and looked at me with those green eyes. “I’d love to.” We set up a time and a place, and we went our separate ways.

We met up and got our coffee. We spent hours there talking, laughing. We watched the sunset from our booth in the shop. Her loose blue t-shirt shined brightly when the sun hit it. Her hair in a ponytail, khakis and brown boots made her look amazing. I casually wore my converse, khaki shorts and collared shirt. By the time the manager kicked us out, we had already had three cups of coffee and a cookie to split. From then on, we worked on homework together, took walks around campus and hung out with our friends. She supported me in my races, and I supported her in her soccer games.

As the year rolled around, our plans and ambitions came forth. She was an aspiring engineer, and I was an aspiring writer. We helped each other grow to become adults. They were the best four years. We both graduated. That’s what we could only say was dark times. She got a job in Washington D.C. as an engineer, and I was in Chicago as a writer. We said our goodbyes, but our lives were joined. We knew we would see each other again.

A year had passed. We both had visited each other in our respective cities. After each visit, I could hardly bear the goodbye. I knew enough was enough. Christmas came around, and she came to visit me in Chicago. After a long day of talking about our memories, we watched the sunset from the pier. When the sun was almost gone, I stood up. I took her hand. I got on one knee and asked the four words that everyone hopes to hear. “Will you marry me?” Tears filled her green eyes. Her hand covered her mouth. “Yes.”

We married a few months after that. We moved Washington D.C. where I took a job as a writer for a newspaper. She became a successful engineer when we decided to take the next step. We had two beautiful kids. I got four books published and we both started to make names for ourselves. We sent our first kid away to college when we both retired together. We did the same things we did as college students, walks around our neighborhood and drinking coffee and tea on our porch. Every time I looked at this girl, I just knew I had to love her with everything I have, and everything I will have. We grew old together. We were by each other's side for everything. Even when I got sick. She was always there, by my side. I can’t wait to see my love again. And when she is, we will always be together.

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