As we get closer to the sculpture, I can’t believe my eyes.  Could it really be the same couple from two years ago?  “T, look! It’s them!”  I knew she would recognize them from the photograph.  I ended up keeping it since it was the first time I ever saw the one and only, Tina Kennard.  I just couldn’t bring myself to delete it and silently asked the couple for understanding.  I was sure they granted it and didn’t feel any animosity towards my invasion of their privacy.

“It is them Bette!  Let’s go meet them!”

We make our way over to the couple who, by this time, are standing directly in front of the sculpture admiring it exactly as they had done two years ago.  We approach them with nervous excitement at having the chance to meet the people who are responsible for us finding each other.  We are both so giddy at the moment, but don’t want to startle the couple, so we stop short of tackling them in a tight bear hug and go with a more subtle approach.  I reach out and gently touch the older gentleman’s arm and speak softly, “excuse me sir…”

He turns to see who is speaking and with a rather shocked expression replies, “it’s you! It’s really you!  Look darling, it’s the girls from two years ago! I just knew they’d come back!”

At this point Tina and I are looking rather confused and I’m certain the couple could read this from our expressions.

“Oh Gus, I believe we’ve got them a bit bewildered.  Where are our manners?  I’m sorry dearies, we didn’t even properly introduce ourselves before making accusations.  I’m Florence, and this dapper young fellow is Augustine. It’s very much our pleasure to meet you.” They each hold out a hand to take one of ours and we complete the introductions.

“I’m Bette and this is my girlfriend, Tina. It’s so nice to meet you as well, but how do you know us?”

“Well, Gus and I love this sculpture so much and we come here once a month to just admire it and reflect on our years together and to people watch.  We especially love to watch the younger couples who flock to the sculpture for a picture.  It reminds us of how we were in our early days.  On a pleasant day in April, two years ago, we were doing just that when this beautiful young lady rushed by us in such a determined fashion.  She seemed to be looking for someone and in her excitement, tripped and we both gasped knowing it wasn’t going to be pretty, but then she didn’t fall.  In fact, she was caught just in time by a lovely blonde who we both first thought was surely an angel!  When their eyes met we could see it instantly…two parts of one soul had found each other.  Gus and I looked at each other and smiled.  We didn’t need words to convey what we knew we had just witnessed because it was all too familiar to us.  Even though many many years have passed, you never forget meeting your soulmate.  We were just elated to have been able to watch you find each other.  Thank you for letting us share in your moment and we hope you can forgive our intrusion.”