Our Enduring Summer Love

The summer sun dipped low over Highland Lake in Warren Center, Pennsylvania, casting a golden glow across the water. It was a place steeped in memories, a place where generations had gathered to enjoy life by the lake. For me, it was the place where my roots ran deep. My grandparents had owned a cottage on the lake long before I was born, and every summer, I would return to the familiar shores, my heart swelling with nostalgia.

Joe’s connection to the lake was no different. His parents had bought their own cottage the same year he was born, and like me, the lake was a constant in his life. The two of us, though from different towns—about 30 miles apart—would cross paths every summer, becoming more than just casual acquaintances over time. As children, we noticed each other in passing, exchanged shy glances and smiles, but it wasn’t until we were both around the age of 13 that we truly began to notice each other.

I thought Joe was so handsome! I’d watch him from the shore, caught between the allure of getting closer and the hesitation that came with his “bad boy” image. I often found myself floating on an old styrofoam raft near his dock, just to catch a glimpse of him or muster up enough courage to say hello.

Joe says that he thought I was beautiful! He, too, often found himself looking in my direction, hoping for the occasional glimpse or even a wave.

The flirtation between us was electric. As summer after summer passed, there were countless moments spent on the shores of the lake—shared looks, stolen kisses, teasing banter.

After high school, our lives diverged. I went off to college in Pennsylvania, while Joe moved to Colorado, seeking adventure on the ski slopes. Despite the distance, our families remained intertwined, and every now and then, we would run into each other at family gatherings, parties, or weddings. It was clear that the spark between us was never entirely extinguished, but life seemed to pull us in different directions. Time passed, and our paths continued to cross in fleeting moments, like the ripples on the lake that never quite faded.

Then came Father’s Day in 2010—a celebration that changed everything. Both Joe and I attended the family gathering, and something in the air shifted. The old flirtation, the shared memories of the lake, and the undeniable chemistry between us finally converged. What had been a spark all those years ago on the shores of Highland Lake ignited into a fire. That day marked the beginning of a true relationship, one that would span not just miles, but years.

We began dating long distance, a challenge that tested our patience and commitment. For five years, our love blossomed, despite the distance between New York and Colorado. Each visit was precious, each phone call a lifeline, and soon, the thought of a life apart became unbearable.

In the summer of 2015, Joe and I made a life-changing decision. I packed up my life in New York State and moved to Colorado to be with him. The transition wasn’t easy, but our connection was undeniable, and the adventures we embarked on together—skiing in the winter, summering at the lake—made it all worth it. We traveled, explored, and built a life filled with love and shared memories.

The lake, that same lake where we had first crossed paths, would always be our anchor. In 2023, amidst the rain that fell in buckets on the lawns of Highland Lake, Joe and I celebrated our engagement. Our families gathered, witnessing the culmination of a love that had been years in the making. It was a proposal filled with history, with joy, and with the promise of a future together.

The rain didn’t dampen our spirits—in fact, it only seemed to make the moment more magical (and muddy)! Surrounded by friends and family, Joe and I knew that this love, which had started with a shy hello on a styrofoam raft, was meant to last forever.

As the years pass and we continue to build our life together, Highland Lake remains a constant—a symbol of the love that has floated on the water all those years ago, only now it has anchored us to each other, forever.