From Afar

by Juang Juanda (Indonesia)

I didn't expect to find Canada

I am a stranger in a strange land. A man out of time and place. I didn't know she was there before that day or maybe I always knew she was there but I didn't notice her until that fateful day. It was from something small that I got to know her, from a questionnaire that I filled for fun. A little distraction to keep the students from going insane. To my surprise I found a match. A 97% match, a miracle I thought. I texted her. She was direct and it seems she noticed my intention right away. We message each other to designate a meeting time and location. When we met I joked a little to settle my nerves but underneath I was nervous. We talked only for three hours in total but my life was forever changed from a simple talk. She was like a riptide hitting the rock that is my world.A rock wouldn't move when it was hit by a riptide but it's very foundation has changed prior to that hit.She balanced me when I needed it the most. If I have to discern and explain what love is its balance. In the chemical, spiritual, social, and physical. She relaxed me when I was tense, she stressed me when I'm too relaxed and she gave me comfort and solace when I needed it the most. That balance is what people strive to find in this world and most of them do not find it until it is too late. I didn't expect to find love in this country and I know that I will always have to love her From Afar.