21st Century Love Story

The Calm

September 27th, 2015

It is our anniversary.

I still vividly remember how the sun shone that day. It was an autumn morning and I woke up feeling refreshed after a night's rest. My phone on my bedside table vibrated and a notification with his name on it lit up the screen. I smiled as a warm feeling swelled from my chest. It felt nice to be the first thing on someone's mind when they wake up.

"Good morning, beautiful! Happy 4th anniversary. Dinner at 7. I'll pick you up at 6." the text message read.

I don't exactly remember when I realized I had fallen for him. Was it when he smiled at me the first time we met? Was it when he held my hand when I struggled to get down the stairs? Maybe.
Love was an unfamiliar but not unwelcome feeling. I had no experience with dating but through it all he was patient, understanding, and kind. He was the kind of guy who would bring you food when you were cranky. He would chase after you even after you walk away. Bring you flowers when there wasn't even an occasion. Always above and beyond to make you feel special. I felt lucky and happy to have someone like this come into my life when I felt like I deserved nothing.

As with any normal relationship, we also had our fights. It would be an insult, or unbelievable at the very least, if I told you we didn't. Small disagreements that we would gloss over after a discussion. Compromises had to be made but that was okay. That was how love worked. We found ways to forgive each other time and time again. It was a constant push and pull. A team effort. This is how we have reached 4 years together. I was convinced that what we had was lasting and special.

I laid down a few colorful dresses on top of my drawer. It was hard to choose which one I ought to wear. I didn't want to look under or overdressed. I remember he loved the baby blue dress that I wore for our first date so settled for wearing that instead. It was appropriate, I thought, as commemoration of when we started as a couple. 

I take it out of the pile and position it on top of my body as I look at my reflection in the full-length mirror. Not completely confident that the dress would still fit properly, I take off my pajamas. I wanted to make sure I did not look like an overstuffed sausage for a date as memorable as this. I slid the dress over my head and pulled it down until it was snugly positioned over my body. 

"This looks decent." I say to myself as I do a little turn in front of the mirror. I simply couldn't wait for tonight!

I take a good look at myself. I had amber brown eyes and curly, dark brown hair that fell just shy of my waist. I wouldn't say I looked ugly but I wouldn't say I looked beautiful as well. My face is one you can easily forget. One you can easily overlook in a sea of people.