San Diego was our childhood. We never met there but it remains dear to both of us, with memories of endless sun, library visits, early internet, swim meets, aloe plants, and warm beaches.
Palo Alto was our first date. We got boba and walked around the neighborhoods, catching up on our lives and desires. We came across a tiny open house and toured it. Being together felt right.
Rome was our first trip. At night we joined all the festive people through winding alleys and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the day we took long walks through the outskirts of the city.
Boundless hills of verdant green,
Sunny skies and songs of spring.
Your hand in mine as love unfolds,
What wonder yet our future holds.
Tahoe was our funniest trip. We drove up during a major storm and had to dig the car out three times. We learned to maintain speed on hills and avoid snow piles. We learned that we could work through hard times together and laugh about it later.
San Francisco is where we got engaged. Allen said that his cousin was coming to visit at 9 am in the tea garden. We had to walk a bit to find said imaginary cousin, while Allen tried to steer towards the photographer. We shared tea with Margaret's friends, then went home and took a nap.