Don't Blink

Carl and Jeni saved and scrimped for years to afford a small sailboat for days like this. When they met their senior year of high school, they didn't like each other at first, but their friend groups collided regularly. Eventually, they began to see each other in gracious light. Begrudging civility advanced to the talking stage in time for graduation, and they spent the summer working at a local golf course as their friendship threatened to blossom into something more.

Jeni pursued a tech degree in HVAC at the community college in town, while Carl took online classes and found a job in IT security. Love was not in the air, it seemed, so they enjoyed friendship to its fullest. Still, neither found romantic interests elsewhere, so their friends and families whispered conspiratorially behind their backs about where the "Carleni Ship" would sail.

They were cut from similar cloth in that their respective parents supported their like desires to avoid traditional college debt to chase their goals. "Just remember to enjoy life as it happens," was a familiar refrain in the kids' ears, regardless of whose parents were talking.

Jeni completed her HVAC program in two years, and jobs were like ripe fruit for the picking. Carl, on the other hand, was far from done his degree, but he was so skilled at his work that he had advanced in the company and was making good money. He was also falling for Jeni, and he knew if he didn't act soon, she could take a job out of state and out of his life.

On a warm spring day, Carl invited Jeni to take a cruise with him on the Penobscot River. He'd reserved seats for two aboard a small charter sailboat, and he'd paid to be the only passengers so that he could propose to Jeni. He was relieved, but not surprised, that she agreed to go; they both loved the water, though they also knew the Penobscot was not a body to swim, given the amount of mercury dumped into it in the 1980s. He was also relieved, delighted, yes, even overjoyed, when Jeni said "Yes" to his marriage proposal. They married two months later. Just over a year later, they began their family, and for the next twelve years with three children born, they took turns being the stay-at-home parent while the other worked full time. Their income was decent, but setting aside savings--especially for something as extravagant as a sailboat of their own--was tricky.

At last the day arrived when Jeni and Carl looked at their savings and sized up the opportunity before them. "It's time, honey," Jeni said.

"Now or never," Carl replied.

"Let's see if that charter is still available and rent it again," Jeni laughed.

"Right you are, dear!" Carl said. "How did we ever think we could buy a boat?"

They laughed until tears streamed down their faces. "We've certainly had fun trying, haven't we? What should we save for next?" Jeni said.

"I don't know," her husband said, "but as long as I'm with you, I'll be happy. As your dad always says, 'Don't blink, not even for a moment, because life will pass by so quick it'll feel like it's gone in 60 seconds.' Life with you, Jeni, has been the best 'minute' I could ever ask for."