As the days grew into weeks, our relationship grew from a spark into a roaring bonfire. We'd go to the movies, sharing popcorn and quiet giggles in the back row, feeling like we were the only two people in the world. The theater's velvet seats cradled us as we held hands, the flickering images on the screen playing second fiddle to the love story unfolding between us.

We'd argue about the books we read, our debates a delightful tango of differing opinions. Her passion for the classics clashed with my love for modern tales, but it was the fire of our discussions that made me realize how much I craved her mind. The way she saw the world, through the...