A Peaceful Morning

The sun began to crest over the mountain. Light poured across the lake and in through the open window. I held up my hand and watched as the sunbeams danced through my fingers and onto the wall.

The carpet felt plush under my feet as I stepped out of bed. I pushed open the door to the patio and entered a precious sanctuary. For what seemed like an eternity, I just was. The breathtaking scene consumed the awe of my every fiber. The lake rested perfectly calm, reflecting the mountainous landscape around it. Thick fog whisked off the lake on either side like a white curtain revealing nature's masterpiece. The sky lay suspended, streams of clouds, pinks, purples, oranges, and golds, being the link between the earth and the endless expanse that darkened toward the heavens.

Upon inhaling my first breath of fresh, crisp mountain air, I became aware of my existence in the midst of my beautiful surroundings. I could only raise my hands and whisper, "How great is our God..."

In Those Eyes

The following daydreams are from my magazine column In Those Eyes. The daydreams were published once a month, and though they seemed like seperate events, they were all romantic moments of one larger romantic story.

He sat on the park bench, sulking over the monotonous week he was having. Everything was boring and worthless – things were falling apart left and right. The order of events for the rest of the evening occupied his thoughts; go home, clean the kitchen, leave for the office, take the rap for the company’s problems, come home, try to sleep, wake up, repeat. A sigh of angst overtook him, and his entire upper body collapsed. With head in hands, he closed his eyes as they welled with tears. The darkness that followed was unbearable. I am all alone. There was nothing but a feeling of vast emptiness until light footsteps padded toward him. Eager to have the company of a mere stranger, he looked up.

He felt as though he had been wandering around a pitch black room full of clutter when he accidentally stumbled into blinding light. Upon the return of his sight, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen was gliding before him. Captivated by the glow that radiated around her, he traced the contour of her face with his eyes – never had he seen such perfection. She is beautiful. Then the unexpected happened; the warm gaze of her eyes met his, and she smiled the softest smile. He went weak in the knees and lost his breath. Time was frozen and he could have stayed in that moment forever.

Watching as she continued on her way, he sat, blown away by her beauty on the park bench. She was a heaven-sent, pick-me-up from God himself. He believed she was an angel. Will I ever see her again? Her deep and inviting eyes flooded his mind. They enveloped him with sweet warmth, pushing away all of the cold. That smile. Her smile took away all the pain and stress and breathed the fresh air of worth and tranquility back into his life. Never would the first time that smile kissed him be forgotten; he could have fallen asleep it was so soft and gentle.

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From across the coffee shop he caught her gaze. She sat alone with a book and was intently looking at him as though he were an old friend. Upon being caught, she glanced down in embarrassment for a second, only to look back up and return his gaze. Something about her seemed so familiar. He smiled and nodded as if to say, “How do you do?” and a smile appeared on her face. That smile. Taken aback by the familiarity of her smile, he quickly reverted to shuffling through his briefcase. That is the girl. At that revelation, he knew he had to meet her. Without hesitation he rose, leaving his work behind, and walked over to her.

“Have we met?” Startled, she looked up from her book. Realizing who he was, a smile lit up her face. He was immediately reassured that she was the girl by the glimmer in her eyes.

“I thought I recognized you, too!” she exclaimed. Pulling out the chair next to her, she invited him to sit. After recollecting their first encounter at the park, they instantly clicked, laughing and talking as if they had been old friends. They learned about each other’s lives and jobs and proceeded to set up another chat over coffee for the same time and place the following week.

As he drove away, he could not help but remain captivated by her smile. She had to have been the warmest, most inviting person he had ever met. Even the way she spoke fascinated him. Her entire being radiated enthusiasm as she spoke about her family and her job. Her laughter was like sweet music to his ears. Every time it escaped her lips, complete and utter joy filled his heart. He had never had company so fulfilling before. To him, she was a picture of perfect simplicity.

As she left the coffee shop and walked down the sidewalk, she could not help but giggle to herself in excitement. A feeling of anticipation rested in her heart and she knew that their coincidental encounters were simply the beginning of a friendship that she was eager to pursue. She was enthralled by the way his eyes sparkled at her every word. Something about his personality drew her in. She could not explain the feeling she had that morning, but the smile he invoked never left her face throughout the day.

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The brisk November air blushes her cheeks a rosy shade of pink. A smile creeps across her face as she catches sight of him walking up the bleachers. She absorbs his every aspect--the way he wears his clothes, his hairstyle, the way he moves, the way he smiles--everything. She is with him so often, and yet every single time they are together, she catches herself falling in love with something new about him.

He kisses her on the forehead and sits down next to her. Halftime is almost over, and the temperature continues to drop. He hands her a cup of hot chocolate and slips his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Taking her chin in his hand and turning her face toward him, he lifts her lips to meet his. Her warm lips send a wave of heat down to his toes. He strokes her cheek and traces the bridge of her nose with his finger while admiring the sparkle in her eyes. He gazes into them every time he is with her, and yet the sparkle is always there, stronger than the day before.

They sit together, bundled up in their winter attire, sipping hot chocolate, talking, and laughing as they watch the game. A few seconds remain, and their team scores the winning touchdown. All of the fans jump to their feet in hysterical excitement and cheer. She throws her arms around his neck and he lifts her into the air. She rests, suspended in his strong hold, as he looks up into her face. The lights create a radiating glow around her, and she appears to light up the black night sky above her. After completely losing himself in her eyes, he lowers her into his embrace. She brings her lips to his ear and drowns out the sound of the entire crowd with a whisper, "I love you."

Oblivious to the chaos around them, they sway back and forth enveloped in each other's affection. She pulls back, and he cradles her face in his hands. The moment is perfect. He once again brings her lips to his, and they kiss under the Friday night lights.

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She peeks around the trunk of the tree. Snowflakes are embedded in her curly hair. Her snow-coated mittens and the scarf laying several feet away on the ground are the remaining signs of a long snowball fight. Upon seeing the shadow of his strong frame across the grove, she darts behind the tree. For several moments, she can only hear her breathing. Then, the snow crunches on the other side of the tree and his shadow appears beside her. Her heart beats faster as she anticipates his attack and she slides around the other side of the tree. Expecting to find him there, she leans around the trunk to surprise him with a counter-attack. Not finding him and ready to give up, she slumps back against the tree.

He sneaks up behind her as she leans around the tree to look for him. Snatching her into his arms, they tumble to the ground, white powder flying all around them. They roll over and giggle uncontrollably. Sitting up, he watches as she waves her arms and legs through the snow. She is an angel. The January air blushes her cheeks and her smile is as white as the bed she lies on. Her smiling gaze catches his and he falls deep into her eyes. Now he understands how the eyes are a window into the soul. She is so beautiful. He is pleasantly distracted by a delicate snowflake that lands on her dark, black eyelashes. Wishing to stay suspended in that moment, he would have given anything for a picture of the snowflake resting on her eyelashes, so perfectly representative of her delicate beauty.

She leaps up from her snow angel and clumsily stumbles several feet away. With a big smile, she takes a stance and puts her fists up as if to pick a fight. He smiles at her adorable attempt to be tough. Deciding she does not like being so far away, she runs over and tackles him into the snow. As she rests in his arms, he knows he could not be any happier.

She pulls off her mittens and traces his lips with her fingers. He kisses her hand. As she traces his nose, his eyes and his cheeks, a snowflake falls on his lips. She leans down and melts the snowflake with a kiss. As a wave of excitement and warmth flows through her body, she cannot help but smile. She kisses his nose, his forehead, each cheek, and then returns to his lips. His kiss becomes a smile. “What?” she asks.

“Gotcha!” he exclaims and tosses snow in her face.

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He walks up the dark wooden steps to the attic. Peering around the door, he finds her kneeling in front of an old trunk. The small room is lit by an oil lantern and several candles. Black and white pictures and old photo albums are strewn across the floor. Shadows dance gracefully on the walls and caress the furniture.

She softly hums a familiar melody – the same one she hummed in his ear the night they slow danced in the park– the same melody she hummed on the evenings he helped her with the dishes. He remembered the way her eyes smiled as she looked up at him from the soapy water on those nights. She stands, pulling her mother’s old wedding dress from the trunk. When she turns toward the lantern, tears glisten on her cheeks and he can see that same smile in her eyes. As she holds the dress to her figure, she closes her eyes and begins to sway, all the while humming her love song.

He smiles as he watches her dream. He knows she is pretending to be embraced in his arms, and the tears shimmering on her cheeks are of love and delight. The swaying becomes a slow waltz around the room. She spins, her mind wandering between dreams and memories. As she glides across the floor, the romance of the moment silently calls him from the door where he watches.

Although he could keep the view of her dreaming forever, he steps into the room, moving close so that she turns into his arms. Her reverie interrupted, she realizes that fantasy and reality are one in this moment. She smiles. He wipes the tears from her cheeks and brushes the hair from her face. She places the wedding dress in the trunk and slides her hands into his. Pulling her close, he can feel their hearts beating together between them. She once again begins to hum and he wraps his arms around her.

Together they sway to the soft harmonies. The cloudy resolve and moonlight shines through the window. They slow dance in the silver glow. Coming to the end of her love song, she looks up into his face. The moonlight reflects off the tears in his eyes, and she cannot help but let the happy tears spill from her own. As she takes his face in her hands and raises her lips to his, they both think, “How could I ask for more?”

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A love exists that comes from the utmost depths of the heart. As fervent as the most wonderful of dreams, it is a love strong enough to bind two hearts forever. Like a child’s handprint in the cement, this love is always present and leaves a permanent mark on the soul. Greater than distance and time, it is not a love of temporary, selfish impulses or petty fights, but a love that conquers all challenges thrown in its direction. However, this love was not meant to overcome the highest Love. The passionate and undying love between two souls is meant to submit to the Love from whence it came, even if that means letting go of the hearts it bound.

They searched each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. A burning glow of passion and pain was reflected in their welling tears. The stormy clouds overhead mirrored the despair that had taken over their beings. Unable to speak, they grasped one anothers’ hands desperately trying to maintain the link between them. The love that flowed back and forth through them was overwhelming and yet so suppressed in that moment that their souls felt light and heavy. Even worse than the feeling of restraint was the truth that their hearts could not break the bonds, but had to submit to them.

The love that gushed out from her innermost depths was not tired, but full of energy. She was not ready to give up yet, but the flame within her heart was strong enough to burn away her selfish impulse. She willingly let go of the one whom she cherished for the sake of holiness. However, the pain in sacrificing utter happiness and perfect intimacy was too much for her heart to bear and she broke down. The tears overflowed from her eyes and she collapsed into his waiting embrace.

The sky opened and rain poured down upon them. He held her tightly as his own tears mixed with the rain on his cheeks. He had meant what he said every time he told her “Till my dying day” and even though it seemed like he was giving that love up, it pulsed stronger than ever within his chest. He held onto her holding onto him, not wanting to ever let go.

Wrapped in each other’s arms, they again searched for the burning glow in one anothers’ eyes. Their eyes desperately communicated to one another, “I love you, if that is all we can take for now.” And thus, with one last kiss, they made a promise to never let go of the love which had bound them for so long.

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Hand-in-hand, they walk down the quiet city street. A new comfort flows through their entwined fingers since getting back together. The thought of the new Love they share brings a smile to her face. She turns toward him and absorbs the aspects of his features, permanently printing his profile in her mind as if she may never see his face again. His every aspect fascinates her. He is the love of her life, the cherished treasure of her heart, her soul’s partner and mate. He returns her gaze. In his eyes she finds comfort and security.

A smile dances across his face as he takes in her warm glow. He peers into her eyes only to lose himself in a swirl of love and passion. With utter joy, he lifts her into the air and spins until the clouds overhead mix with the blue sky to create a pastel painting. He lowers her back down to the sidewalk and after a moment of laughter, they continue down the street.

Every moment they spend together is a timeless memory. As they come to the park, she gives him a playful smile and pulls him through the gates and down the path. They pass the playground and the horseshoe pit and finally come to the fountain. She jumps up onto the ledge that surrounds the fountain and he escorts her around until they stumble across a park bench. She gracefully steps down onto the bench while he holds her hand. After finding the answer to his question in her eyes, he smiles.

“What?” she asks.

“I was imagining you tiptoeing through the crystal clear waters of a beach in Bermuda.”

With a look of puzzlement, she asks, “When are we going to Bermuda?”

“For our honeymoon,” he smiles.

Excitement beams so intensely from her eyes that they almost seem to change color.

He lifts her into the air, and as he lowers her back to the ground, he whispers in her ear, “Will you marry me?”

With eyes full of tears, she looks deep into his eyes and sees the rest of her life: the memories they would make together, the joy, the pain, and the love. In his eyes, she sees herself.

“Yes, yes, yes!” She exclaims, as tears of joy sparkle down her cheeks.

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In one hand she holds the reddest roses, the other linked in her father's arm. Slowly, they make their way down the aisle. Each step is one step closer to the future she is about share with the man patiently waiting at the altar. With each step, her mind dances around memories from their past and dreams of their future. Black and white photographs of the laughs, the tears, the big moments and the little treasures of their relationship flash through her mind. Her heart flutters.

He clasps his hands in front of him to contain his nervous energy. He looks up – she is beautiful, pearls and baby’s breath through her curls, eyes sparkling and floating down the aisle in all white. He remembers the night she danced with the wedding dress that she now wears so elegantly. While watching her graceful steps, his thoughts drift to future, to thoughts of their child’s first clumsy steps. A smile lights his face as she reaches the end of the aisle.

Her father lifts the veil and kisses her forehead. "I love you, Daddy,” she whispers as tears gleam in her eyes, reflecting the tears in his. In the steps that he walks back to sit with her mother, he gives her over to the smiling man at the altar, who in a few precious moments will be hers to have and to hold.

He takes her hands and looks deep into her eyes. He sees glistening tears of joy welling from the utmost depths of her heart, and a warm glow of affection radiates from his eyes into hers. He would not trade her for the world.

She has never been happier. The next few moments, though gone by fast, are of the most precious in her life. Her heart is pounding – never has she loved anyone so.

"I do," he proclaims, and gives her his heart, to have and to hold forever.

She goes weak in the knees. She has waited for this moment for so long. While looking into his eyes and lightly squeezing his hands, she smiles, "I do."

As he holds her face and they gaze into each other’s glimmering eyes, a current of passion and love powerfully flows back and forth between them. He lifts her lips to his. Thus with a kiss, a new chapter of their story begins, “To Have and to Hold” – Forever.