Love at First Sight

I hear the giggle of a couple who are holding hands

as I leave a line of single footprints in the sand.

The ocean waves white cap close to the shore

like a surround sound stereo of remarkable white noise.

But it’s not loud enough to drown out the giggles and playful screams

of couples splashing and yelping at the icy cold sprays of ocean

or parents watching their kids run in and out of the waves like yo-yos.

“Are you lonely yet?” a voice in the wind asks and 

moves on without my answer;

I didn’t know that my single string of footprints made me out of place.

Am I alone? Yes.

But lonely? No.

The farthest from lonely I have ever been,

though it also seems like the farthest from home.

For, I’ve searched the world to find

There is no place like home

And there is no home like here.

Here.

Where there is a string of single footprints in the sand

Yet I am surrounded by love.

I run my fingers through the million grains of sand,

marveling at the smooth, warm sensation

of holding Your Hand.

My skin prickles with goosebumps as the wind skis across the ocean

and then a gentle counter-wind brushes the stray wind-whipped pieces of hair off my face,

like a lover tucking a strand of hair behind my ears.

Then the sun begins to set with eye-popping, uncapturable, undefinable colors

that can only be described as

Love at First Sight.

I can’t take my eyes off You. 

The way a whisp of clouds wraps around the sun’s waist

like a husband’s embrace.

And when the sun peeks above the horizon, barely visible before it disappears,

I hear a whisper, “I see you.”

As it sinks out of sight, flamingo pink, lilac violet, and other vibrant colors emerge

And take my breath away.

My heart skips beats as I watch the train of rays

form like a majestic robe filling the temple of heaven.

I fall in love.

All over again.

As if I never knew this feeling before.

Nothing else matters.

Not my age, not my single string of footprints, not my disappointments, failures, stresses, dreams, wishes, regrets, heartbreaks, betrayals, rewards. Nothing.

Nothing but being loved by the King.

And as if He already hasn’t done enough, he lights up the sky with millions of fireflies

dancing in the moonlight, spelling out the words

“I Love You. Be mine forever.”

I know I am home.

I am loved.

I am His.

Forever.