Copyright – Ted Strutz
The Perfect Fit
“I almost missed the ferry and snagged the very last booth.”
“Because they’re the best, right Mommy?”
“Right”, Claire replied stroking Molly’s curls.
“More!”
“He asked to share and we started talking. It felt like we’d known each other forever.”
“And he pulled out a puzzle just like this.”
“Yes, just like this. Piece by piece, fitting like a glove, we knew. Neither of us wanted it to end so we rode the ferry back and forth all day.”
“Mommy?”
‘Yes Sweety?’
“And that’s how you picked out Daddy.”
Claire smiled, kissing Molly’s forehead as the ferry left the dock.
Word count: 100
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Here in Seattle Ferrys are common. One of my bosses once suggested I ride the ferry if I wanted to meet a man. Apparently they are quite the hot spot for matchmaking. Though as a married man I’m not sure whether to trust his intel. And as a little girl I remember asking my mom to tell me over and over again about how she met my Dad. About how they fell in love. As if that very story explained me. When I saw Ted’s photo these two thoughts collided and I imagined a perfect day riding the ferry back and forth with no care in the world other then getting to know a man I’d just met but felt like I’d known my entire life.
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Aww,such a sweet romantic encounter and recounted so well-to the eager little ears-loved it:-)
Thank you. I had fun writing sweet.
🙂
Aw, sweet story, with a lot of love and a little fairy dust
Yes it does have a bit of fairy dust. Trying to write something without personal pain of any kind tends to tip my to romantic fairy tale land. I suppose I need a fix for my sweettooth. Thanks.
Dreamy! Her parents must have been a cute couple 🙂
In my head they certainly are. Thanks Eena.
It does sound like a fairy tale!
Nicely done romantic story.
Yes a fairy tale indeed but a lovely one. A friend challenged me to write a story with less pain and personal loss. So I let the romantic out of her tower just long enough to accomplish the task.
Such a sweet story – I love it!
Thanks KB. I loved writing this one.
This is so lovely, Dana! I am from the Seattle area as well (Bellingham) and for me, any day on the ferries is a special day. I love what you’ve done with this… such a sweet, meaningful story. The dialogue is very fresh and real, and I really enjoyed the personal aside, explaining your story. Well done!
Dawn~ I love Bellingham. I just took myself up there for a weekend getaway a month or so ago and braved a rare night out of karaoke. Ted said this was indeed the inter island Ferry through the San Juans so it is no wonder we both instantaneously recognized it. I am so glad you like this one. I have been promising a girlfriend I would express my sweeter, softer side in a FF write. This was definitely it.
Too fun! I love that a few of us live nearby. One of these days, we’ll have to have a FF meet and greet! No doubt, this photo spoke to us all. Such an iconic WA site!
You certainly followed through on your promise! This is a very tender piece!
Yes a Pacific NW FF meetup sounds fabulous.
Lovely! I live in the Seattle area too (Bellingham!) and immediately had some thoughts when I saw what clearly looks like a WA ferry. Any day on the ferries, for me, is a happy day. I really love the story you’ve woven here, Dana… the romance in such a magical place. Thanks for the sweet explanation as well. Wonderful post! Happy Thanksgiving.
Mambo Italliano!!!
Love it! How do you know, Ted? Are you a local too?
I only know Ted through FF. He commented on my story and let me know where the shot was taken. It was all too familiar.
Yum! Yum!
Oh…maybe I should move to Seattle and ride the ferries 🙂
I really enjoyed this lovely story.
Thanks Anja. Ferry rides are great.
What a sweet story. 🙂
Thanks David.
Love the thought of riding the ferry back and forth waiting for your match…
Doesn’t it sound lovely. Thanks Bjorn.
Agreed…my character found hers in my offering 🙂
Ooo! Color me intrigued. Heading there now.
Thanks love 🙂
The perfect star-spangled beginning of a lifelong love story. Nice.
Neil Simon sure could write love at first site. I like to believe this couple’s love story is endless. And since I wrote it, it is so. Thanks VB.
Very sweet!
Thanks Sandra
A Perfect Storm of Stories! Such a perfect response to the photo… I’m sure that has happened. This is the Evergreen State, currently the inter-island ferry in the San Juans.
I hope this has happened. I imagine it has. When i saw your photo I knew I’d been there. The Ferry through the San Juans is my fav. Only second to going all the way to Victoria. You made me want to get in the car and drive for the ferry today. Thanks Ted
It’s those last minute panics – the rush onto the ferry – that leads us into behaviour outside our normal routine. Doing something different, that’s when the magic happens. Your story is so happy it makes me smile.
Mike- “so happy it makes you smile” is a glowing endorsement. I have a friend convinced I can’t write a story without some personal pain in it. Ha! by god I think she’s done it. Thanks.
Dear Dana,
This was a lovely story, replete with a little history and a lot of love. Thanks for sharing. I used to ride the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle on weekends for several months. Ted’s photo brought back many memories.
Aloha,
Doug
Ted’s photo does conjure memories and made me want to skip the office and ride the ferry today. Thanks Doug
Little girls are the best. Anyone who says otherwise shouldn’t be trusted.
Wise advice. You know I’m not going to argue with that.
It’s nice to read a story of love.
It was nice to write it too. I have a girlfriend that will be so pleased. She has been waiting for this kind of story to teem from my fingertips.
Dear Dana,
I remember having similar conversations with my mother. Sweet story with believable dialogue.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle. Some dialogue is easier than others, especially when you’ve had it over and over again.
Lovely tale, beautifully told.
Thank you. I had fun with a little romance this morning.