This is a story of beauty—a story of how I, at 27, fell in love for the first and last time in my life.
It Happened in One Night
There are many sad and ugly stories that come from a life of homelessness—tragic stories which fill your heart with pity. This is not one of those stories. This is a story of beauty—a story of how I, at 27, fell in love for the first and last time in my life.
Unlike all good stories of the homeless, this one begins in the rain. It was storming to shame Noah’s day, and I stood in a dead-end alley watching as a beautiful and stubborn girl battled with a tiny single-person tent. The night was dark, and the only light came from a single streetlamp high above us. Though we were vaguely familiar with each other, having lived in the same neighborhood as kids, that night we came together in that alley as all but strangers. After several minutes of me standing idly by, watching the primal struggle between woman and tent, I dared—foolish man that I was—to offer my assistance. I asked if she needed any help. She quickly shot back with, “No, I can do it on my own.” I’ll never forget those fires of indignation that poured from her eyes as she looked up at me—dark hair streaming down her face, making her the perfect image of a beautiful mess. As the rain drenched us, she worked on, mostly in silence, only ever acknowledging my presence with the occasional “Move” or “Get out of my way.” I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point, I found myself laughing hysterically at the drama unfolding before me. Who was she, really, this strange and beautiful girl whom I found myself in the company of? Why was I still hanging around in the pouring rain when, by all accounts, she would rather just have me leave?
I was wondering about such things when, at last, she finished her task. She stood tall in pride, her hands on her hips as she appraised her handiwork. Satisfaction and joy beamed from her face as, for the first time, she smiled at me from her eyes and changed my life forever. Though I may not have known it at the time, I had just met my best friend and fallen in love.
My future now had a name.
And her name was Chelsea.
Your Story was captivating and well written. You definitely brought not only a tear to my eyes. You too also brought the biggest smile. Yes, it is a struggle when you experience homelessness I can agree to that from my own experiences. Even though you were caught in that struggle GOD also revealed something true and ever so mighty the gift of Love and best thing of it all it was TRUE LOVE. So hard to find and so hard to come by these days. When you have it hold on to it. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FUTURE CHELSEA!! <3