Remembering When I Fell in Love

I fell in love; some people grow a fondness for each other, others find love, but I fell in love.

I took this photo before Brandon, and I got married. Now, we have been together for almost a decade. Even after being married, moving apartments, celebrating graduations, transitioning jobs, and everything we have shared, I am still unsure if he fully understands how much I fell for him from the very beginning.

I'd told my parents all about him. Of course, they wanted to meet him, so they bought train tickets from Durango to Silverton for all four of us. I can still feel my heart beating to the click-clack of the train tracks as Brandon's hand touched mine when he shared one of his earbuds with me. When I close my eyes, I remember squirming to get comfortable on the wooden seats. The mountain air against my nose and cheeks. My favorite striped pants. His jacket. We had lunch in a cafe, and I learned that Brandon likes Ruben sandwiches. He still likes Ruben sandwiches.

This photo of the mountainside and river is published, sold, and famous in its own little way, but my favorite photo from that day is one of Brandon and me. We are both smiling into the camera; my bangs are bouncing in a mess around my bright blue eyes, and his glasses frame a shy smile. When I see this photo, I remember falling in love. My heart swells with gratitude, and I want to hug my younger self. I'd tell her she did well—she did really well when she fell in love.

Water of the Southwest #5 (Silverton Train Ride)

Buy Now