The breeze, blowing through the trees, feels so very pleasant. The sun is trying to peak out from behind the clouds, maybe it won't rain. Stopping at The Springs park waiting for this reunion with John, my heart is thumping wildly with anticipation. I haven't spoken to him in years, his phone call Tuesday suggesting we meet took me by surprise. Walking down by the fountain and little gazebo...I notice a few changes in the park. Now a little building stood at the very end of the park where the trail winds upward around the hillside.
While waiting for John to arrive, I walk down by the spring and across the little footbridge. Continuing on, I walk to where connecting white columns form a semi circle creating a large trellis for many vines and flowers to wind around. Looking up I see a blonde man walking toward me, as his form is approaching I see he is wearing sun glasses. Slowly the man removes his glasses and smiles a broad smile. His wonderful blue eyes danced happily as he says "Jen, so nice to see you again."
For a moment there was uncertainty, then we laugh and embrace. As he is still holding me, loosely now, he runs his hand across my hair, in a (long ago) familiar fashion, "you've cut your hair, I like it."
"Thanks, I see you must wear contacts too now," I say. "No, I had eye surgery, it is great."
"So, it has been such a long time," he said. I nodded my agreement...and we started walking, as we had so many times in this park. "I was just thinking how many years ago it has been since we walked together in this park, what 17 years now?" he was saying.
"Yes, that is right, seems like only yesterday," I said, "so many things have happened to us since then."
"Both of us have had our share of loves and losses...have kids from our previous marriages," I say smiling. He could only smile back as that summed up what had happened to us...John with a few failed marriages, me with one...John with a few kids, me with one. Time does a lot to a person...some good some bad, but John looked great. He didn't look the 34 years he is now. "I thought about you last month...my birthday, then yours, you turning 35 this year, I always did like older women," his stated, smile broadening.
"Ah, remember though for those two days prior to my birthday, we are the same age," I was saying, "every year, you come to mind on our birthdays."