I vividly remember the first moment I saw her.
It was the spring of 2003.
I was a young man, eager and motivated to change the world.
I had moved down to Washington the previous fall and enjoyed
working in the DC office of an international humanitarian
aid organization. The hours were long, the job demanding.
However, I found great satisfaction in the unique work I
was a part of.
Moves were never my forte. I grow attached to people and
places. Leaving them behind leaves me drained and keeps
me from initially embracing my newest surroundings. Luckily,
I had a close friend from college in the area, and I decided
to attend his church on Sundays.
There was no way to tell what was coming that particular
Sunday morning.
Like after every service, I headed down to the fellowship
hall to talk with friends and mingle. In the middle of my
conversation, I noticed her.
I stopped breathing. My heart started beating faster.
The instant she entered my line of vision, it felt as if
the world had stopped. At the very least, time had slowed
to a crawl. The voices around me droned on, but I was captivated
by her glowing visage. Something about her drew me in and
would not let me go.
My feet would not move. My mouth would not open.
Once I snapped out of my stupor, I casually asked around
to find out who she was. Who was this beautiful girl with
the ponytail? I found out her name and just as quickly discovered
she was seeing someone. She was (and remains) one of those
girls who is always the "better" catch compared
to any guy she is linked with. Her status didn't faze me
much. I figured this was just another crush anyway.
Even so, I couldn't shake the thought of her from my mind.
As I was driving home, my heart would not stay still. I
could not shake the feeling that she was 'the one.' My head
dismissed what my heart felt, and I too subscribed to my
less emotional side. I told my heart to pipe down and that
I didn't believe in such lame things as 'love at first sight.'
I laughed at my foolishness and went on with my life.
[part 2]
About Silas Lee
|
