she was back swimming at the pool two to three times per week.

it was good to be in the water again. her strength was returning. and so was her joy.

healing was in the water.

he appeared at the edge of pool one day, jumping into the deep end next to her as she did her own version of water aerobics.

it didn’t take long before they acknowledged each other with their eyes, and saying hello not long after.

soon, he smiled at her, extending his hand in a formal introduction.

he was different. it only took her a minute to get lost in his golden brown eyes.

two days later she parked her car outside the pool.

she gathered her things, getting ready to go in. her hand was on the door handle when father spoke.

“this will be the most fulfilling relationship of your life.” his voice was warm, strong, reassuring, and filled with promise.

she sat there for a minute taking in the weight of his words, smiling, feeling his love wash over her.

his words spoke of the fulfillment of a promise, a bright future that was secure in him, their good father, the father of lights.

she went in to swim. he came a little later.

it was his birthday.

they swam together regularly. then they began to do other things together.

father told her three characteristics about him she needed to hear. they were powerful adjectives: ‘consistent. reliable. stable.’

father kept showing her the foundation he had built in this man.

the next descriptors were ‘honorable’ and ‘integrity.’

more words came. always good words.

she saw him. she saw his heart. she saw the man inside.

she saw father’s son.

one day, she worked up enough courage to finally ask him the ‘how’ and the ‘what happened’ that caused them to meet.

his response was powerful, speaking volumes in six short words.

“i saw you and i knew you.”

(copyright 2017 jane doe)