The Best Day They Ever Had

Two souls can often bond over the seemingly insignificant things in life--whether it be a conversation where synonymous views are shared or an activity where pleasure is simply found in one another’s company.  In the case of Sam and Joy, all that was needed to change both individuals’ lives was a fateful day involving two lonely, wooden contraptions and a vast field of freshly fallen snow.

While they had known each other during their adolescent years, the paths of Sam and Joy had long-since diverged--and, in Sam’s case in particular--taken many different detours.  To say he had forgotten Joy’s regular presence in his life during those pivotal years was an understatement.  However, the same could not be said for Joy in regard to Sam’s impact on her life.  She remembered so many details about him, such as his idiosyncratic habits and expressions, all of his closest friends, and exactly what it took to make him smile. 

The two had maintained a friendship that could never quite make it past that first stage and blossom into something more.  However, it wasn’t until many years later that Joy began to suddenly appear in Sam’s mind quite unexpectedly.  There was something he was remembering to which he had never before paid much attention: she had this certain sparkle in her eyes that had always seemed directed toward him.  He couldn’t believe that he had never noticed it, but perhaps he had been too busy buried in the midst of his endless high school dreams.

Since he couldn’t seem to shake this feeling of curiosity about her life, Sam decided he would “take the plunge” by seeing if he could find Joy online.  He remembered that she was old-fashioned in regard to social media, but he figured she used email, at least.  It took some mental searching, but he was eventually able to recall her address.  By no surprise, it was an hour-and-a-half before Sam was finally satisfied enough with the words he had chosen in his message.  (The worst thing would be starting things off on the wrong foot.)  He figured he would remain strong in the simple fact that he had made a resolution to not check his email obsessively.  However, his resolve was beginning to crack as the self-sabotaging thoughts began to form the longer he thought about this whole situation.

Finally, just before he was about to shut the light out and get some rest that night, Sam nervously opened the email app.  However, what appeared to be the only new messages in his inbox were nothing more than Groupon offers, and news articles.  “She probably has no idea what to say!  It’s been at least eight years.  She could be married for all I know,” he thought to himself, feeling like someone had taken a cymbal-banging monkey and forced his head inside.

Fighting these insecure thoughts as he tried to forget about it and fall asleep, it seemed that it was morning before Sam knew it.  He decided he would make the most out of today, and not let this situation define his thoughts.  However, the threat of Joy’s possible “rejection” was still not far from his mind.  

A week went by, and it felt a bit slow and grueling at times--especially since Sam had recently given his two-weeks’ notice at his current job as a sales rep.  (Why had he even gone into this business, anyway?  It’s no wonder he never sold anything.  He was far too timid, and his lifelong goal had always involved doing something where his creative side could be utilized.)

Then, without warning, as he was checking his spam folder for a particular message, Sam saw a certain name several emails down.  His heart began to pound, and he felt as though he should take a second before opening it. 

Without reading the actual email first, he took quick inventory of the length of the message, and while it seemed somewhat concise, he couldn’t help but be grateful just for an answer.  Then, he smiled as he began to read.  The date on the message indicated that she had written back the day after he sent his email.  

“Hi, Sam!  I couldn’t help but feel a little shocked when I saw that you had sent me a message.  I admit I remember your email address.  Wow, has it been a long time.  I hope and pray you’re doing well, and I just wanted to say that--since I do still live here in Riverton, I would be happy to meet with you sometime next week.  Just let me know what you had in mind.  -J”.  Sam had never before seen her sign her name with only one letter, so he wondered if she had changed at all.  Obviously, everyone changes, but Sam couldn’t help but contemplate to what extent, and whether she thought this would be very casual--or more of a date.

Sam didn’t seem to be able to get up and move; it was as though his feet were planted in the floorboards beneath him.  “What should we do?  What am I gonna talk about?  ‘Hey, long time no see’?  ‘Cause that doesn’t sound lame--or forced.”  He was definitely having an argument within himself--a dilemma which he figured would be solved by the mere fact that just “being himself” would be enough for Joy.  

By the end of that day, Sam had decided a coffee shop meet would be the safest bet.  Unless she had changed, he knew that Joy wasn’t much of a coffee drinker, but he did remember she loved tea.  In fact, she was crazy about it (she even had a collection).  Sam’s mind drifted as he wondered whether or not she still kept up with that habit.

The “date” was set for Saturday morning, and Sam couldn’t help but feel a bit jittery.  He was wondering how Joy felt--or if she felt anything at all.  Naturally, he was secretly hoping she was excited.

Back in her small apartment--which was about twenty minutes from Sam’s--Joy was standing in front of the mirror with her own set of thoughts running through her head.  She looked at her Fitbit; the time was 9:30, and they had agreed on 10:15.  She studied her reflection, looking at her eyes in particular.  As she was approaching her late 20’s, Joy was aware of the fact that she didn’t have quite the same features she once possessed.  However, she had gained a sense of peace within that she had never previously known, and appearance didn’t matter so much to her these days.  Still, there was no denying that she had always wished Sam viewed her the same way she had viewed him, but now she was uncertain as to whether or not she would still have those feelings.  High school was so long ago, after all.  Who knows whether or not he ever thought of her as beautiful.  

The time unfolded rapidly as the two sat face-to-face in that coffee shop.  Anyone who walked by them would have never known it had been years since they had seen each other, as it seemed that the old, wonderful rapport between them was still there after all this time.

Three hours later, the two were exiting the shop when Sam noticed two very simple sleds sitting atop a nearby hill.  There was a trashcan there, indicating the sleds were no longer wanted.  A twinkle in his eyes--and with some uncertainty--Sam asked, “What do you think about sledding?”

A genuine grin spreading across her face, Joy replied, “I think I haven’t done it in ages… I can’t help but wonder what you’re up to, Sam.”

“What would it hurt?”  Running mischievously over to the sleds, Joy followed after him, hoping she wouldn’t slide on the icy sidewalk.  

“I hope they’re not broken,” she said, slight concern in her voice.  She turned one of the sleds around, inspecting it more closely.

“I think they’re fine.”

“Well, let’s do it, then!”  Joy started laughing, feeling like she was sixteen all over again.

Then, without any warning, Sam hoisted Joy onto the oh-so-tiny sled, and he “plopped” right down behind her.  Her cheeks already rosy from the cold weather, the color increased as she tried to collect her emotions.

As both the sled and Sam and Joy barely made it down the hill in one piece, they were both glad to be at the bottom, safe and sound.  Both laughing from both excitement and embarrassment, Sam stopped, smiled, and made one very simple statement that beautifully summed up the entire day: “Well, Joy, I think we made it.”