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There he was, just standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers with the biggest grin on his face. It had been 12 years since the last time we saw each other and now I was here in Guatemala. My stomach in knots, I was nervous. What was I doing here? Our story, confusing, complex and full of twists and turns, brought us together again in a country I never thought I would ever visit. Reunited with my “what if” guy as if in a scene from a movie, in a delicate situation that could end in heart-break yet again. Our story began at the age of 16 in a small desert town in Israel and rekindled years later in a foreign country across the world. The middle of our story spans my move to the USA and his move to India, Ireland, Panama, Costa Rica and finally Guatemala. Me expressing my feelings and him getting married, having a child and getting divorced. All the while, on and off for years, staying in touch, keeping tabs on one another. Why do you do this to yourself, I wondered many times. I never had a good answer to that question. He somehow got under my skin and into my heart and no matter how badly he hurt me and how hard I tried; I couldn’t let him go. I guess I had gotten under his skin a little as well, as he could not let me go either. Fast-forward all these years, me healed from the pain, him saying he misses me, and with a quick click on the “complete purchase” button (and a, oh crap, what am I doing, moment of panic), I had a ticket in my hand. I had no idea what to expect, not from this odd reunion and not from Guatemala. I spent the next two weeks in a daze, anxiously thinking about the moment we meet again. What would we talk about? Do we have anything in common after all these years? Can these feelings be real? Being an over thinker is not for the faint of heart, I can tell you that much. Looking around at the sea of people as I exited the airport, taking in my surroundings, I looked around frantically. I had heard mixed opinions about how safe or unsafe Guatemala is, and without knowing the language I was a little on edge. And then between the sea of heads, I saw him, smiling, so happy to see me. Phew, I thought, step one completed successfully. Maneuvering through the crowd, thoughts running through my head, I made my way to him, and in his arms again, I felt like I was home. The road from Guatemala City to Antigua changed from busy and chaotic to a lush and green landscape, my head swiveling from side to side, trying to take it all in made him laugh at me, enjoying my enjoyment. Antigua with its colorful streets, friendly people and dramatic volcano as a backdrop captured me. At last, sipping a beer and appreciating the view we began telling each other the tales of years that have passed and filling in the gaps. It was all a little weird in how effortless it was. A week had never passed so quickly. We wandered the cobblestone streets of Antigua taking in the sounds and smells, feared for our lives as our driver made his way down the winding road to San Pedro by Lake Atitlán and talked about all the things we would do if we had more time together. Leaving was not easy. Our story, far from over, will continue to twist and turn and our paths will meet again, of that I am certain.