Following is Assignment 1, edited with paragraphs and everything.
When I first saw Metro walking across the parking lot that warm December evening, my soul leapt in recognition. They say people come into your life for a reason and I instantly knew that he'd been sent into mine. Ours was no chance internet rendezvous.
If you'd asked me what I was looking for in a partner, I couldn't have told you. But meeting Metro was like having someone tailor-made to meet the secret specifications I'd had since hight school.
You could go down my list and check everything off--tall, blonde, all-American, fun loving and popular. "Where has he been all my life?" I wondered.
Dressed simply in a crisply ironed black button down shirt, with the collar of a white T-shirt peeking out, and my favorite, Levi's jeans, Metro was a throw back to high school chic. His hair was purposefully spiked; not even his Members Only jacket seemed out of place. He was matching head to toe, and he smelled of Calvin Klein's Eternity.
We ate gyros, watched the belly dancer and did some Greek folk dancing before heading to Starbuck's for coffee. Conversation is a gift for Metro and I was put instantly at ease. Hours passed as we talked about anything, everything and nothing of consequence at all. We were two soul mates reunited, however briefly, and we had catching up to do!
As it turns out, he and I had grown up close to each other but attended rival schools and our paths had crossed at various school events without us ever meeting. Even in our adult lives, we found coincidences. For instance, my school offers tuition discounts to Metro's company and my assistant's brother works for him.
Listening to my stories, his hazel eyes sparkled and the ends of his mouth turned up in a grin. Several times we found ourselves laughting out loud and begging the other to continue. for us, time stood still. we'd entered an alternate universe, a place between out two worlds, totally separate from our regular personas and responsibilities. We were free to bask in the pleasure of simply being with each other, which to me was a therapeutic experience. All worries and insecurities were cast aside and any aches that had plagued me earlier in the day were forgotten.
"This is too good to be true," I told myself until I stepped into his embrace. At 6'4", his hugs enveloped me and were a full body experience; no place ever felt as good or as welcoming as the circle of his arms. I know what it must have been like for the prodigal son, how relaxing it would seem in his father's arms realizing that he was finally home again. Each and every hug ws such a homecoming to me, one full of warmth, acceptance and safety.
That night was a glimpse of what I really wanted to find out of life: casual ease, quick laughter and the sheer joy of the experience. Metro was a gift I'd received at one of my darkest hours and I followed his light back into my own life. When next I see him and feel my sould leap with joy, I plan to hug him tight and welcome him home.
