Kate knew I was coming to visit her while she was studying abroad, just not 2 weeks early. When I got to Spain, I had not slept for 36 hours, but was so excited, I felt wide-awake. I knew she had a midterm in the morning, so I planned to surprise her the next day, but I could not wait. I had to see her!

I hailed a cab, showing the driver Kate’s address on a crinkled post-it note. My heart felt ready to leap out of my chest. I had spent every day of the last 12 weeks daydreaming about the moment we would reunite; everything seemed so right with Kate by my side. I found a payphone near her apartment and came up with a plan; my dream was about to become a reality.

I was sitting on my mattress in my closet of a bedroom, stressed out, studying for exams, when my cell phone rang. It was Jerry. My phone ate up minutes, so I always called Jerry back from a payphone. I was reluctant to call back, being the studious nerd that I am, but agreed when he said it was important. I threw my hair up, put sneakers on, and headed for the elevator.

About 5 minutes later, Kate came walking toward the payphone and stopped dead in her tracks.

I was confused; I just stood silently (a rare occurrence), trying to figure out if it was really Jerry.

After a good 15 seconds, Kate ran towards me, in what felt like a scene from a classic love story.

Once I landed in his arms, neither of us wanted to let go. It was a moment that truly solidified our thoughts of wanting to grow old together.