“Perhaps, after all, love did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare…it crept to one’s side like an old friend with quiet ways. Perhaps it unfolded naturally, out of a beautiful friendship.”
-L.M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables-
2, 7, and 14–lucky numbers in the timeline of our love story, and ones that bring me great joy when I see this particular day on the calendar.
Twenty years ago, on this day, two eighteen year olds, who were “just friends,” were finishing their evening performance duties at the local community college Theatre. The boy drove the girl home, and in the driveway of the girl’s house, they had an important discussion that led to her asking if she could be considered as more than a friend. The boy agreed and stumbled shyly through the “Will you be my girlfriend?” question, not having asked this to someone in a long while. Before the girl could “officially” say yes to his question, she hopped out of the truck and ran into the house. The boy sat, dumbfounded, at what transpired, taking a few minutes to gather himself.
Curtains fluttered in the upstairs room, as the girl looked back out at him and smiled. He drove away, back across town to his house, and as he did so, his cell phone rang. It was her. He asked the girl why she didn’t answer him when he asked her out, to which she coyly responded, “Because you already knew my answer.” The next day, back in the Theatre, they both looked at a calendar to realize that this special moment had happened on Valentine’s Day. They had been so wrapped up in excitement that it had not occurred to them when it happened. Cue opening credits for the love story as their lives intertwined.
Fast forward a few more years, to the same couple amid their last year in college, wanting to plan a significant anniversary trip for Valentine’s Day, and narrowing in on New York City. With a mutual love of adventure and Theatre, this was the perfect destination. Pooling their meager bank accounts together and booking tickets online, the girl thought this would just be their first big vacation. The boy had other plans that involved another level of commitment to each other. Hidden in his carryon was the key item in his plan, and the girl had no clue.
The weather in NYC in February isn’t ideal, but for two people in love, the possibility of snow was idyllic and promised endless fun. They landed the day before V-Day, thrilled and in awe of the bustling metropolis. The following morning, 2.14.07 (see the numbers aligning?!) they awoke to see that the city streets and rooftops had been dusted with the fresh, unspoiled powder of snow, white and perfect. They had plans to explore the museums and see a play that night, so, after breakfast, they bundled up. The girl had a spot in Central Park she wanted to show the boy, so they took the subway to 72nd and CP West. It was so early, and so cold, that there were only a few people about. They strolled together to the Bethesda Fountain, near the Loeb Boathouse, alone and exhilarated by their surroundings.
In the boy’s pocket was a ring.
He asked.
It was sweet, honest, and heartfelt.
No diamond sunbursts or marble halls, just pure love.
It was glorious.
She said yes. Tears of joy. Kisses.
The best day of their young lives.
They hurried back to the warmth of the subway train after snapping a few chilly pictures to document the day. Later, celebrating on Times Square and in the second row of the Majestic Theatre to see “Phantom.” Cloud nine.
Move the clock forward again. They married the following year, on 06.07.08. 6+8=14. The seven—see it? Honeymooned in NYC again and visited the first page of their married love story at the fountain again.
I have always been a student of numerology, and the influence of numbers on life. Today, we circle back to 2 and 14. It’s been 14 years since that day in the park.
If given the chance to go back to that day, I’d say yes again and again.
We’ve got a home, careers, and two children now, and are very blessed. I still believe the best is yet to come. Yesterday, due to impending weather (much the same as we had in NYC back then!), we celebrated early with a daytime date to the art museum and a lunch at a nice steakhouse. Our ability to have alone time has changed since our teen years, and it makes it all the more special because of its rarity.
This 2.14, I received a new ring, an anniversary band to sit on the other side of the one he first gave me, symbolizing our two children. It has 14 small stones in it.
I love you, Tim, and I’ll go on loving you as we have more 2s, 7s & 14s.
Valentine’s Day may seem trite and commercialized for so many—paper hearts, flowers, and chocolate—but for us, it’s the day our story truly began.
-Kindred Spirit-
2.14.21
(21-14=7!)
Kindred Spirit: A Journey 