Knowing It Was True Love

Harry felt so bad when he saw Julie crying her heart out on the bench outside of the Universtiy of Texas. They had met on the campus when they started the final semester at the university. Harry remembered how Julie's auburn hair seemed to flame against a beautiful autumn sunset. His heart seemed to be racing as he introduced himself and took her hand. They had become a couple and were getting closer every day. Then came the spring and a girl from his past enrolled at the university in mid-semester.

Harry had not seen Mary since he left his hometown and moved into the dormitory at the university. She was the girl next door that he had grown up loving but had never had the courage to profess his love to. The years had gone by quickly and they had grown up together but remained best friends. Mary did shed a few tears when he left but they had kept in touch. He had told her about Julie and she had been so happy for him, It came as a big surprise when she showed up at the University of Texas and suddenly it seemed that time had stood still.

He had told Julie about Mary early in their relationship and she knew who Mary was when she showed up on campus. What Julie had not realized was that all the love he once held in his heart for Mary now had come to light. Even before he realized it himself Julie already knew and now she was there before him with her heart breaking. Harry did not have the heart to approach her at this very private moment so he turned around and went in search of Mary. He was ready to profess his life-long love and let the chips fall where they might. It was a terrible shock when he saw Mary from a distance in a passionate embrace with another man.

Harry was not about to be put off because surely this could not be a long-term love affair and Mary would be so thrilled to know that he had loved her all of those growing up years. He put a smile on his face and approached the couple. It was quite a shock when Mary saw him and flashed her beautiful smile introducing Dick as the man she had chosen to join at university. Further, she introduced him as her childhood friend who was practically like a brother to her. Harry stood dumbstruck but knew he could not let them know how stupid he had been and congratulated them both on finding a way to be together. Another shock was when Mary flashed her engagement ring at him and hugged him real tight.

He wished them the very best and now knew he had been holding an impossible dream in this heart that he should have laid to rest the moment he met Julie. So he raced back to the bench only to find it empty. Harry went looking for Julie with a heavy heart. He had been unfair to her for holding on to his love for Mary and now he had to confess the truth to her. It was the only way he felt he could mend their relationship. However, when he went to Julie's dormitory he was told she had told everyone that she didn't want to see anyone. What was a guy to do?

There really was no choice and he went to look for Mary. He found her and Dick enjoying a picnic on the grassy lawn. He joined them and was not ashamed to tell his story. Mary was quite surprised and told him that by the time they had entered high school she had already realized that she loved him as a best friend and the brother she did not have. Now he understood what a fool he had been and why they never dated mostly because he had been a blind fool. Mary told him to buy Julie her favorite flowers and once he had her attention to tell her the whole truth. After they made up to take her on a real dream date to her favorite restaurant and wine and dine her by candlelight.

Harry knew just what he had to do and thanked them both. He rushed to the flower shop and brought two dozen roses and asked them to be delivered to Julie's dormitory with a card asking her to meet him by the fountain in the courtyard where he had seen her for the first time. She came but she didn't look happy. However, when Harry had finished confessing everything Julie forgave him.

They both had a couple of more classes to attend so Harry told her he would pick her up that evening for their dream date. He took Julie to her favorite Italian restaurant that was one of the most romantic in the city. While they dined by candlelight Harry suddenly knew that this was the girl that he really loved and never wanted to let her go. While waiting for their dinner Harry lifted up his glass of Merlot and asked Julie to toast to their true love. Julie looked at him in the soft glow of candlelight and lifted her glass and as they toasted she knew that Harry was the man she would love for a lifetime and beyond.