The summer before my sophomore year of high school, I got to experience New York City magic for the first time. On one day of the trip, the group I was with decided to spend the day at Battery Park, including taking a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. This is where I fell in love with love. We boarded the the three-story boat and scrambled past the crowds to find the best view on the boat. We settled at a crowded window on the east side of the ship where we could see the Statue of Liberty as we passed. Being the awe struck tourist I was, I had my camera ready and my faithful photographer (bff Kara) ready to snag my pic at any given moment. In the middle of adjusting my hair for a quick shot, I turned to face the inside of the boat. Sitting behind me on a metal sea-foam green painted seat, was a boy.

This boy, with looks comparable to Logan Lerman, was staring at me. The first time my eyes met his I felt like I had known him for years. Not only did one look my heart skip a beat but it changed it. This moment lasted for less than a second as the instant he noticed I noticed him looking, we both averted eye contact immediately. We played this game the whole ride to the Island. Once on the Island, on passengers have to exit the ferry. We began to lose each other amongst the massive swarm of people trying to get on and off the dock but somehow as we continued to make our way off the ship, we kept playing our game. Just a few inches and passengers behind me, for a second, it looked as though he reached his hand out to me, about to say something. This was the last time I would ever see him. Before I could react, I was pushed off the boat into the entrance of the loading dock. I frantically looked around and around the station for him but he was no where to be found.

While on the boat, I only imagine him watching me taking tacky touristy pictures of the skyline, the statue and laughing with wind swept hair. While I may never know for sure why we played the looking game that afternoon (maybe I had something in my teeth the whole time), but I can only hope we had the same reason for doing so. I will never forget that last image of him in my heard. It’s amazing how much a simple look can change your heart.

I still fantasize about what would happen if we were to meet again. I like to think he takes that ferry everyday and sits in the same spot, waiting for another glimpse of me. I left my heart and a boy on the Staten Island Fairy that day. I may never see him again but I would still like to thank him. He showed me what connection feels like— what love feels like. He showed me what I want in a connection and what I want in love. The memories of him keep my ideas of love high and my soul alive so, thank you boy on the ferry, you showed me magic.