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Sixteen years ago today, Seaside Cafe is where I took Ellie on our first date. We had been “dating” for a few weeks but never shared a meal outside of the dining hall because I was a broke eighteen-year-old. I saved up from my part-time job so I could finally take her out on a proper date here.
Man, I was so nervous. I’d never taken a girl out before, and even though I’d only known her a short time, I knew she was special. I was so scared I was going to say or do something to make her run for the hills.
I still remember when she opened the door to her dorm. She was breathtaking, wearing a 90s pop band T-shirt and cut-off shorts and I still remember the smell of her vanilla perfume. Her light blonde hair was shoulder length then, and always had a little wave and salty smell from her constant dips in the ocean.
Even though I tower over her by almost a foot, she loved to reach up on her tippy toes and pull me down for a kiss. I loved it when she did that, still do. She has always kept me anchored to the ground.
By the end of that date, everything I already knew about her — her playfulness mixed with an air of confidence, how strong and loyal she was, her forever optimism and positive attitude even though she’d swear she is a realist, and her nurturing nature — confirmed she was the one for me. It was all right there in our easy conversations and the laughter that never stopped.
I walked away from that date knowing without a doubt that I loved her, and I wanted her in my life forever. Every day since then, she’s been my rock, my center, and the one that keeps our life together. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am that she still loves me sixteen years later.
Walking into the cafe, I chuckle looking around at the familiar decor that hasn’t changed in all these years. The owners, Paul and Maggie, are Parrots Heads so they have the place decked out in everything tropical. The robin’s egg walls have painted palm leaves on them with surfboards and posters of exotic birds, and the staff is dressed in multicolored bird button-up shirts.
I see my beautiful wife. She’s sitting at our usual patio table that overlooks the ocean with two Shirley Temples with double umbrellas, and my heart skips a beat. With her adorable dimples on full display, her smile reaches all the way up to her sparkling eyes as she stares down at her phone. Her relaxed nature beckons my body to hers.
I can’t help but smile as I stare at her from across the room. I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders and I can finally take a deep breath again. A sense of peace washes over me that I don’t ever have unless she’s near me.
She makes eye contact with me and smiles even bigger, a genuine smile that rights all the wrongs that ever existed in the world.
Sliding her phone into her purse, she stands to greet me.
“Hi, love,” she says, her voice full of cheer.
“Hi, babe.” My body instinctively pulls her in for a quick side embrace.
I want nothing more than to kiss her supple pink lips right now, but since I’m still in uniform, I won’t. Most businesses in town support the department, and Seaside Cafe is no different, but I am always extremely careful to not mix my personal life with this career. One is who I am, and the other is what I do.
“Have you been here long?” I motion to our chairs.
“I got here about ten minutes ago. I saw Maggie and asked her to bring the usual.” She points to the drinks on the table and smiles. “She said the burgers will be up in a few.”
“It wouldn’t be our anniversary if we didn’t have our customary double umbrellaed Shirley Temples.” I laugh.
We were underage when we came here for the first time, so a Shirley Temple was all we could order. We’ve carried on that tradition ever since too.
“How is your day going?” she asks.
“Honestly, it’s been shitty until now. Do you remember that non-profit we do the coat drive with every year?” She nods. “Some asshole broke into the store, smashed a bunch of windows and shelves, and stole most of what they have collected this year. Gail was so upset when I called and told her. And it’s not like they’re going to get any money on the street for —”
“4705 and 4706, can you respond to an accident on highway 69 marker 12…” Dispatch chirps, interrupting my rant.
Unfazed, Ellie sips her drink and waits for the radio to go silent again.
With mischievous eyes, she teases, “Does the other woman need you already?”
I shake my head. “Thankfully, we have enough bodies today, so Ihopefullywon’t have to cut lunch short.”
Her free hand is so close to mine on the table, so I subtly intertwine our pinkies to not draw too much attention to us.
“People are awful. That’s so stupid they took all their donations. Maybe we can talk to the principal at the kids’ school and see if we can put donation boxes in the lobby and classrooms. I’m sure our generous community would donate enough to replenish her supply and then some. I know I have some to give too.”
“I’ll talk to Gail when my report is ready and see what she thinks.” I shake my head. “Anyway, what’d you do today? You said you were going shopping this morning. Do the kids need new clothes?”
“No, I bought a ton of second-hand winter and summer clothes in a size up for all the kids at the school rummage sale about a month ago. I put them in the garage to sort out later.” She starts twirling her wedding rings, and lowers her voice before saying, “I went with Jess to get new clothes for me.”
She bites her lip as she waits for my reply. Myhusbandsensesare tingling so I know what I say next is important to her.
“I think that’s great. You should get new clothes, you deserve them.” I nod enthusiastically. “Did you find anything you like?”
