By the Light of the Setting Sun

That's when things became clear. It was a hot summer evening, the sunset reflecting off the river. We had met about seven hours before, though we had been talking for well over a year prior to that moment. Stopping on one of the bridges to take in the view of the city at Dusk, we continued the conversation we were having. He casually put his arm around me and we were silent for a moment. He then said "This is the greatest moment I've had in this city so far". It was then that we kissed for the first time. A moment that couldn't have been scripted more perfectly. That is what began the rest of my life.

I believe it was all providence. In that year we spoke prior to our meeting, we discovered so many similarities of interest, of spirit, and of morals. Odd things, like interest in obscure lore of countries most people don't realize even HAVE lore. Important things, like very similar life-defining experiences. Lovely things, like our shared faith. I used to joke that he was the male version of me. In meeting him, I realize that he is the other half of me.

And then there are the serendipitous events that led us to our eventual meeting. We met through a website that had all of about 2,000 people signed up to it, most of whom were located in Europe. He had been planning a move to a city closer to me, and one that I had been planning on visiting anyway. We also lost contact for several months and it was by a strange bout of "What can it hurt to just send one more email?" by myself that we even got back into contact. I believe there is a reason we found each other. I thank the Gods for him every day.

He isn't the main reason for this quest. I've been floating along this life, aimless, for far too long. I had no goals, no ideas, nothing. In visiting this city (even before I met him), I knew it was home. It has several great schools (I want to go back), one of which has my dream major, which has been difficult to find. I also have friends there already. This city is surrounded by rivers, bridges, and mountains; all things I love so much. It's close enough to visit my family, but far enough to get away from the quagmire that has bogged me down for so long.

And it has him. And our bridge.