When I Fall In Love

Studying the amaretto sour in front of me, I wondered if my curls had started to wilt with all the dancing I'd been doing at the wedding reception. Suddenly, Alli turned to me and grabbed my arm. Looking meaningfully into my eyes, she said

"Look. Standing next to the cake table. It's Brad."

Sure enough, he stood not twenty feet from me. Hearing his laugh again made me smile. I loved those broad shoulders, and he certainly had nice taste in clothes for a farm boy. Not wanting him to see me stealing a glance in his direction, I suddenly became very interested in the white Christmas lights and ivy on the lattice background across from my table.

I blushed about six shades of red at my memories of him the previous summer at the fair. Tall, sandy haired, his white t-shirt showing off a great tan. He was funny and a huge flirt, really good at taking my mind off the constant stream of negativity in my head thanks to what my ex had put me through. I had been pretty into Brad, but it turned out he was still chasing a girl at Sangamon State. Good guy, though. Too bad it hadn't worked out.

Alli and I went out to the dance floor, and as the bass pumped loudly, I let my mind wander.

"He's a good dancer, he's probably out here too...

.... Good thing I wore my black miniskirt, that can't hurt my chances of getting his attention....

Sure would be nice to talk to him again..."

The DJ announced he was going to play some slow music, and I felt a hand grab mine. I spun to face Brad.

"Hey, it's good to see you. Wanna dance to this one?" he said

"Sure!", I replied, smiling into his deep blue eyes. I had gotten his attention!

"When I Fall In Love" by Celine Dion and Clive Griffin started playing, and Brad started singing along. Listening to his fabulous tenor, confident enough with the words and his ability to sing to be giving me a private serenade... I melted right into his arms. I inhaled deeply as my forehead rested on that spot under his collarbone, closing my eyes. I wanted to freeze that moment in my head forever.

Celine's part started, and although I'm an alto and she's a soprano, I gave it my best shot. I closed my eyes and tried so hard to keep my wavering voice under control.

The dimly lit dancefloor and faint smells of wedding cake and alcohol had suddenly become very romantic. When Brad's part came back in and we were harmonizing as we danced, I think cupid's arrow scored a direct hit.

By the time the last line was sung, I think we had come to an understanding about that chemistry between us.

Lyrics: When I Fall In Love

Have you ever heard a song and suddenly you were swept back to a time in your life you had pushed to the back of your memory?

For many of us a scent or a sound can bring back a rush of remembrances.

This week, your memoir prompt assignment is to think of a sound or a smell the reminds you of something from your past and write a post about that memory. Don't forget to incorporate the sound/smell of your choosing!

(Since my readers like backstory and it might get lost in the comments: I remember this moment with Brad every single time I hear this song. We dated for about 18 months, starting right after this dance.

It remains the only time in my life I was ever spontaneously asked to slow dance, and after my relationship with him, I never sang a duet like this again. It's in my top ten favorite moments ever.

I cut this part out, but I remember this just as clearly: " I peeked around the arm of his dark blue dress shirt at Alli, squeezed my eyes shut and gave a silent squeal of joy. She opened her eyes wide and mouthed back "I KNOW!!" She introduced us the previous summer, and was so excited that he asked me to dance.)