Keira-anne.com

Even in such retrospect, every detail is glaringly clear. That day was completely unlike this day. There were no clouds in the sky; there were no clouds in her sky. Her disposition was ripe with self-import. During the 45-minute drive, a handful of Rilo Kiley tracks shuffled around in the stereo and reverberated through the speakers. Warmth and sea air sank in through the windshield, filling the car. She looked beautiful. She knew she looked beautiful.

Photo: Rapsak on Flickr

The brakes slowed the car to a stop. She reversed the turn of the key and shut the engine off. Under her feet, countless rocks and pebbles crunched and groaned with each step. As she stood before the door, her knuckles raised to make contact with the hardwood but there was hesitance. The brief moment passed until skin met wood. He was already waiting on the other side of the door; her hand barely left the door before it opened.

Blissful smiles.

It had been far too long.

The sun was preparing to say its final goodbyes for the day as he and she made their way into the forest. He held her hand through the mud. They walked parallel and in sync with the train tracks that became their path. In the distance, the tracks veered left into the very trees that the sun was settling into. Before long, civilization had dawned upon them but the streets were quiet. Shops were shut, families were in their homes and a crisp feeling slipped into the air. It didn’t take long for them to realize that home was where they should be too.

Turning around, they began the trek back to a place of warm fires, cozy blankets, cold beer, conversation, soft pillows and laughter. By this time, the sky’s canvas had been painted midnight blue to allow the stars to wink and twinkle. One foot in front of the other, they were almost there. She stopped in her place and looked at him. He already knew what she was about to think before the thought danced into her mind. Her glance moved from his face to the sky. The trees reached up beyond where they stood, stretching towards the luminance.

Photo: Phil Peck on Flickr

The epiphany hit her hard and fast: “This is what it’s all about…this is all that matters.”

That moment became frozen in her time. Years later, it is still all that matters.