Thirty Days Of September

chapter 13: The Beginning

Day 1: Attending Mass and Walking in the Park

As September 1st dawned, Aaron awoke with a sense of anticipation. Today marked the beginning of his thirty-day journey with Atasha, and he was eager to see where it would lead. The plan was simple yet meaningful—an opportunity to reconnect with himself and others in a supportive environment.

After a quick breakfast with Atasha, Aaron picked up his phone to check the time. Atasha had suggested they attend mass together first, which was a lovely way to start the month. He quickly dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a casual button-up shirt before heading out to meet her.

At the church, the atmosphere was serene. The scent of incense lingered in the air, and the sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the pews. As they sat together, Aaron felt a sense of calm wash over him. He listened to the priest's words, finding comfort in the familiar rituals and the community surrounding them.

After mass, they stepped outside into the bright sunlight, the warm air wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Atasha turned to Aaron, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "What do you think? Ready for a walk in the park?"

" Let's go," he replied, feeling a sense of excitement.

They made their way to the nearby park, which was just a short walk from the church. The sound of laughter and the chirping of birds filled the air as families and friends enjoyed their Sunday morning. The vibrant colors of flowers and the lush greenery provided a refreshing backdrop for their day.

As they strolled along the winding paths, Aaron and Atasha engaged in light conversation. Atasha spoke about her plans for the month ahead, her voice animated with excitement. "I thought it would be great to do something different every day. We can explore new places, try new activities, and just have fun!"

"I love that idea! I'm looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us," Aaron replied, feeling his spirits lift with each passing moment.

As they reached a small clearing in the park, Atasha spotted a bench under a large oak tree. "Let's take a break here," she suggested, leading him to the bench.

They sat down, the shade offering a cool respite from the sun. Atasha took a deep breath, her expression softening. "You know, I'm really glad we're doing this. I feel like we've both been through a lot since our wedding, and this is a chance enjoy life again."

Aaron nodded, his gaze drifting to the children playing nearby. "Yeah, it feels good to take a step back and just breathe. I've been so caught up in everything that I haven't really taken the time to appreciate the little things."

"Sometimes, we just need to hit the pause button and enjoy the moment," Atasha replied, her eyes shining with understanding.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Atasha reached into her bag and pulled out a small sketchbook. "I've been trying to sketch more. Would you like to see?"

"Sure!" Aaron leaned in, intrigued.

As Atasha flipped through her sketches, Aaron admired her talent. Each drawing captured a unique perspective of the world around her—nature, people, and moments frozen in time. "These are incredible, Atasha! You have a real gift."

"Thank you! I just love to express myself through art. It helps me process my thoughts and emotions," she said, a hint of shyness in her voice.

"I can see that. You have a way of seeing beauty in everything," Aaron replied, genuinely impressed.

With their conversation flowing, they moved on to discussing their favorite things—movies, books, and travel. Aaron felt a growing connection with Atasha, something he hadn't expected. There was a sense of ease between them, as if they had known each other much longer than they really had.