Connection

A life lived in love will never be dull

2025

"OK, so what do I do now?" I asked as we were on the car. As promised, Perrie was teaching me how to drive.

Perrie gave me a reassuring smile and patted my shoulder gently. "Don't worry," she said. "Just take a deep breath and relax. You're going to do great."

I nodded nervously and focused my attention on the road ahead. Perrie had taken me to a quiet, deserted street, away from the hustle and bustle, where I could practice without any distractions.

"Okay, now put your foot on the pedal gently," Perrie instructed.

I did as she said and slowly, but surely, the car began to move. I felt a surge of excitement and fear mixed together as I realized that I was actually driving a car for the first time in my life.

"Now, turn the wheel to the left," Perrie said, gesturing towards the steering wheel.

I followed her instructions and turned the wheel, feeling the car smoothly turning in the direction I had pointed it. I let out a whoop of excitement as I realized that I was actually doing.

As I got more comfortable with the car, I started to relax and enjoy the feeling of the wind in my hair. When we finally got back after our lesson, Perrie pulled me in for a kiss.

"You did great, I'm proud of you baby" she beamed. I knew that with Perrie I wouldn't be scared to try anything new.

2026

Today was finally the day I would marry the love of my life, Perrie Edwards. I was nervous, excited and above all extremely happy.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me as I saw Perrie's smiling face at the end of the aisle. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was a perfect shade of blue and everything seemed to be falling into place. As I took her hand, I could feel the warmth of her touch and the love radiating from her eyes.

We exchanged our vows, promising to love each other through thick and thin, through all the ups and downs that life would inevitably bring. We sealed our union with a kiss, and I felt like I was on top of the world, I knew that Perrie was the missing piece of my puzzle, the one I had been searching for my entire life.

After the ceremony, we danced the night away, surrounded by family and friends who had come to celebrate our love.

2028

Perrie and I have had this conversation loads of times before, and it was clear from the beginning that both of us were interested in adopting. Now the day came and we were picking up our kid.

It was a beautiful day outside, the sun was shining bright, and the skies were clear. Perrie and I were both nervous and excited at the same time. We had been waiting for this day for months, and finally, it had arrived. When we started dating, it wasn't legal in Italy for same-sex couples to adopt, thankfully that had changed by now.

As we walked into the adoption center, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and joy. We had talked about this moment for so long, and now it was finally here. A social worker led us to a small room where our little girl was waiting for us.

She was a cute little thing, with big brown eyes, pale skin and curly brown hair. As soon as she saw us, she jumped up and ran over to us, hugging us both tightly. My heart swelled with love and affection as I looked at her. Perrie and I had visited her a couple of times, and now we were finally able to take our girl home.

2034

I was in the garden painting when I heard excited voices coming towards me. "Let's see what mommy is doing" I heard Perrie say to our two little girls.

As Perrie and the girls came into view, I couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness.

"What are you painting, mommy?" our youngest, asked in her sweet voice.

"Sunflowers" I replied, gesturing towards the towering plants. "Do you want to help me?"

Both girls nodded eagerly, and I handed them their own paintbrushes. Perrie settled onto a nearby bench, content to watch us work while our dogs Freud, Gilda, and Oliviero chilled near her.

As we painted together, the sunlight beat down on our shoulders, warming our skin. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment and for my family.

2048

"Jade honey, look what I've found" I heard Perrie yell from upstairs. While coming down with our memory box in hand.

"Look, t's our bucket list album" she said, showing me excitedly. We made a bucket list in our 20s with all the things we wanted to do in life.

As we looked through it, we were flooded with memories of our happy and fulfilled life. The list had things like travel together, get married, adopt kids, grow old together among other things, along with the list we had an album with the pictures of each item we've done.

"There's one that we haven't done yet" I pointed out.

"What?" she asked.

"Show the Bucket List album to our children"

"Call them now" Perrie said, her eyes shining with excitement and I could only smile. After 25 years, each day I was more and more sure that I made the right choice, responding to her first message.