Letting Go

Our story was definitely love at first sight. The moment I first laid eyes on him, I knew I was in love. He was the reason I was happy. He also became the reason I cried.

I was at the beach alone, standing by the sea, letting the water rush through me feet. The beach was my escape to the hectic city life. It was calm and peaceful.

Like every other weekend, I was standing by the sea when suddenly a glass bottle hit my feet. Curious, I took the bottle and inside was a letter. The cork on the bottle kept water from going into the bottle. I took the letter out. 'I'm letting go. Jack,' was what that was written on the piece of white paper.

I jumped when suddenly a hand snatched the letter from me. I turned to the owner of the hand.

Standing beside me was a guy in Billabong surf shorts without any shirt on. His body was just perfect, not too muscular but also not flabby. It was just right. His black hair covered his eyes.

"Sorry, that's my letter. I didn't know it would be washed back to shore," he said then gave a short laugh.

Clearly, he was embarrassed. I just gave him a smile.

I noticed his stunning, stunning dark blue eyes which almost looked black when he pushed his hair back.

"I'm Jack," He introduced himself.

"I'm Tessa," I replied.

From that day onwards, we started going out. At first, just as friends, but slowly, we started dating.

Jack was a romantic person. He was sweet, kind, caring, loving and funny. He was everything I wanted but never thought could find.

It turns out that the beach was also his favorite place to be. In fact, he even had a beach house. I'd hang out with him at his beach house every weekend. Meeting him was my fairytale coming to life.

I still remember the seashell necklace he gave to me. I still wear it until today.

"Uh, Tessa, it's nothing much, but here. It's for you," Jack said, handing me a small blue box.

I opened it and inside was the most beautiful seashell necklace I have ever seen.

"Jack, it's beautiful," I said, still admiring the necklace.

Jack laughed and scratched his head.

"I made it. Well, actually, I found the seashell and made a necklace out of it," he answered.

Around almost a year later, our love was still strong. It was stronger than ever. Every weekend, I would go to his beach house. At night, we'd go to the beach together.

"Do you love me?" Jack asked while I was leaning on him.

"Of course I love you," I answered.

Then, he stood up and motioned for me to do the same. That night was a full moon night. The scenery of the beach was absolutely amazing.

I gasped when Jack went down on one knee. Then, from the pocket of his pants, he took out a small red box. He opened it and inside was a beautiful white gold ring.

"Tessa, you are the greatest person I've ever met. If you would be my wife, I'll promise to always love and cherish you," Jack said.

Tears fell from my eyes.

"Will you marry me?" Jack asked.

Immediately, I nodded.

That night was probably the greatest night of my life.

It is true when people say that nothing good lasts forever. A few months after he proposed, he started acting cold. It was like something drained the life out of him. He wasn't the same Jack I first met at the beach.

One night while he was playing his guitar, acting like I wasn't there, I decided to confront him.

"Jack, are you alright?" I asked.

"Fine," he answered dryly and continued playing his acoustic guitar.

"Don't lie to me, Jack. What's wrong? Why have you been acting so cold lately?" I asked again.

He put his guitar down and looked me in the eyes. Then, he looked away again.

"I don't deserve you, Tessa. You're better off without me," he said before walking out of the room.

I wasn't going to just let him leave. I walked out of the room with him and hugged him from behind.

"Jack, tell me what's wrong. You're not the same person I first met. I want that Jack back. I want him back," I said to him, crying.

He turned around and hugged me tight. Then, what he told me after that made me cry even harder.

Three years later, at twenty-one years-old, Jack and I got married at the beach. A year after we got married, his condition worsened. Lung cancer then stole Jack from me.

---

"Happy birthday, Jack," I said, kneeling beside his tombstone while Alicia, my friend, stood beside me.

Jack died a few months before he got to celebrate his 20th birthday.

"I miss you," I said again while placing a bouquet of white roses by his tombstone.

Then, I stood up and cried.

Alicia hugged me tight.

"I still can't believe he's gone and never coming back. It's not fair," I cried.

After that, I asked Alicia to give me some time alone. She left and went into the car.

"Jack, I know you can hear me. I love you," I whispered, holding the seashell necklace on my neck tight.

I stopped crying and wiped my tears with my other hand.

The wind blew softly.

Every time I touch the necklace or feel the ring on my finger, it feels like Jack is right beside me. I would remember exactly how he looked, exactly how he talked, exactly how he laughed, exactly how he smiled, but most important of all, exactly how he loved me.

Those years I was given to spend with Jack before he died were amazing. I will always, always remember those few years. I am thankful to have ever met such a wonderful man like him.

I may not know what the future holds, but I know no matter what, Jack will always be watching over me.

'Love is like the wind. It can't be seen, but I can be felt.' – A Walk to Remember -