First Last
AP English 12A
Mrs. Last
14 November 2004
Sur l'idylle
Romance. Webster defines it simply as "a love affair." Webster is known for his bluntly accurate definitions, although this standard method hardly suffices for emotionally loaded words like this one. In fact, when people think of romance, rarely do they think of this bland dictionary definition. Some people will think of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, while others remember classic movies like Doctor Zhivago. Many may even recall that special night on their first honeymoon. Whatever the memory is, romance cannot simply be forced into a three word Webster entry.
I remember it was the Ides of May last summer when my cousin met this girl at the Del Mar fair. I did not know how she looked like, but my cousin rang me the day after and told me she was stunning. He wanted to meet her again, and had already arranged for a pleasant boardwalk at the piers in La Jolla Beach. I was somewhat surprised at his bold move, considering he was never comfortable around women. My slight befuddlement was quickly quelled however, when he asked me to walk with him on the pier that arranged day.
Two guys with one girl? No big deal, I thought. I could use some practice myself. That evening, I helped my cousin embark on the first stanza of his passage towards romance. I breathed a sigh of relief upon surveying the picture-perfect scenery. The lights of expensive yachts glimmered in the calm harbor, and a light breeze swayed the paper lanterns hanging gently across the dock posts.
My cousin seemed to always walk a little too fast or too slow, leaving his date either trying to catch up or wait for him. I took this perfect opportunity to set the first 'sparks' of the evening. At the exact moment when my cousin and his date's sides interposed (watch their hands!) I gave him a slight nudge on the side, causing his arm to hook into hers. He blushed a little, but recovered quickly and took advantage of his new arm in arm position with her. The girl smiled bashfully, but also enjoyed the more intimate and romantic stroll on the pier. A conversation quickly sparked, following the somewhat humorous hand holding initiative.
To this day, I still don't exactly know how the charming couple felt on that well orchestrated summer night. Perhaps his jittery demeanor was quickly subdued when he held hands, and he immediately felt comfortable with the new level of intimacy. I am skeptical of love at first sight, but on that night, I witnessed their bond of affection solidify at an astonishing rate. As they spoke, the inflections in their voices fluctuated harmoniously to complement each other. Their voices traveled across the gleaming harbor. If there was a pause of silence, it was a musical one that blended in beautifully with the conversation. Silence accentuated the evening, allowing the couple to just gaze at each other, looking for hints in the other party's face for signs of love.
Romance, I thought. I have never seen it better played. Whenever someone speaks of it, I think of two people casting a magical spell on each other- I think of that night. Romance is like an ivy plant potted between a couple's joined arms; with the right soil it grows rapidly, crawling and covering and bonding the two together. The feelings and affections my cousin and his date magically expressed for each other is romance. I say magically because love is expressed more than with words. I recall body movements, focused eyes, and serious, expressive complexions. These subtle but vigorously active details define romance. Without detail, it is impossible to personify the fluttering hearts and intense emotions that compose romance. Webster's trivial "love affair" says little of the energized, flaming passions that give birth to romance. Only on that night did I see enough to know what romance is.
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