A Special Anniversary

Blogger's Note: I didn't get the chance to post this yesterday but it's something that will always be a watershed moment in my life. I have to tell the story. 

I stood by the angled tilted metallic conveyor belt in the baggage claim area of the Philadelphia International Airport. I was waiting to retrieve some luggage that wasn't even mine. Standing next to me was a very pretty woman. She looked nervous, almost self conscience, as she too stood there waiting to claim her suitcase.

It was the same look I'd seen on her face not 10 minutes earlier while watching as she walked through the doorway coming from the plane. Soon I realized the reason she was so uncomfortable. I was staring at her. I apologized, did my best to control the excitement I was feeling as a result of just standing next to her and pretended to be interested in wondering where the luggage might be.

When the suitcases and the duffel bags began appearing both of us watched for the one we would claim. When she identified the bag that was hers I picked it up and we walked away together.

Our destination was the 3rd level of the parking structure. We exchanged small talk along the way. The silver blue mini van was right where I'd left it about an hour earlier.

I opened the sliding door on the passengers side and gently lifted her suitcase into the middle seat. I unlocked the passenger door and opened it gesturing for my newly arrived companion to get in.

Before she did I looked into her eyes. The spark that reflected back to me was an echo of the overwhelming joy I was feeling at that moment. I moved closer to her and kissed her for the first time.

That was Friday May 14, 1998 and I had just shared a first kiss with the woman who is now my wife. That story happened 11 years ago. While there have been many since; to this day, each kiss reminds me of the one I will never forget: the first one.

While it's not a wedding anniversary or a birthday; the anniversary of our first kiss will always be special to me because of the one with whom I shared it.

Happy "First Kiss" Anniversary, Paula. You will Always and Forever be The Love of My Life.