I remember that Sunday morning

We met early before the service

The place we wouldn’t leave now

On the beach, that long strip in Ocean View

Our early 20s, just friends

I was elated to meet with you

I was supposed to be studying chemistry

I couldn’t help but abandon my studies

When you called me that night

We talked like old buddies

We met the next morning for breakfast at Mick’s

You wore a black button up dress shirt

Khakis and black pointy shoes

I loved it

I was enthralled at the site of you

You were sweet like the chocolate chips in those giant pancakes I ordered

You ate your eggs and bacon

It was a love story in the making

You talked about joining the Navy

My heart sank

I’m glad it didn’t turn out that way

You stayed

We walked the shore again after we ate

I thought about if you ever got a girlfriend

How I’d be shattered

Our breakfasts together were great

More and more being with you was what mattered

You finally asked me if we were dating

We became a thing

Here we are 13 years down the road

Married for nearly 10

Somehow it’s even better now than back then

I love looking over the table and seeing you

Across the pancakes, among the coffee cups

In all these years, so much at stake

I’ll be fighting for us

Mick’s closed down but we still have the beach

And each other

Our memories in reach

An even better present – chemistry

Best friends and lovers

You and me