a great blue heron skimming over the lake ; reading out loud to a child ; the Venus de Milo.

following the guide into the caves ; being kissed on the inside of your wrists ; after the eclipse.

leaping over the bonfire ; climbing the Eiffel Tower ; seeing fairies for the first time.

being appreciated ; ‘son et lumiere’ ; unlocking a sealed trunk from 100 years ago.

picking blueberries ; knowing the next step to take ; coming home late at night after a long absence.

a refulgent full moon ; dramatic noses ; the straits of Gibraltar.

fireflies winking in the dark ; someone writing a love poem about you ; midsummer bonfires.

boarding the train in the rain ; a gazebo covered with wild roses ; scientists with imaginations.

Seeing your painting hung in the Louvre ; complete understanding ; quaint salt-and-pepper shakers.

dining on the Orient Express ; Lakshmi ; finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

the parachute opening as you fall ; falafel ; responding cheerfully.

Monet’s Waterlilies ; sorting it out ; playing with puppies.

writing a thank you letter ; crossing the Rio Grande ; a pale yellow silk dress.

the cacophony of birdsong at dawn ; finding a lost ring ; being knighted.

sailing along the Turkish coast ; catalpa blossoms ; utmost respect.

crossing the Russian Steppes ; the crescendo ; dancing with a stranger at a wedding.

a baby bear in the yard ; orange blossoms ; solving a riddle.

sleeping under the stars ; a drawer full of old buttons ; fresh corn.

between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers ; dark chocolate ; full-out enthusiasm.

people rushing to help ; mulling the possibilities ; lemonade on the front porch.

the sound of horses clattering into the inn yard; singing together in harmony; a declaration of peace.

tufted puffins; a thrilling invitation; bicycling from Punta Arenas, Chile to Point Barrow, Alaska.