Everyone celebrates the 1st of January as New Year’s Day. I celebrate it too, but for a different reason. Bryan is the reason I celebrate.

We were childhood sweethearts in junior high school. I believed we would grow up, get married, and be together forever. No wonder Jesus said we need to have faith like children to receive what we ask for. I had faith that nothing would come between us. I loved Bryan so much—he was my world, and there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

In high school, he went to an all-boys school, and I went to an all-girls school. We were both in boarding houses, but even distance couldn’t come between us. We exchanged letters, sharing how much we missed each other and couldn’t wait to be in each other’s arms again. I believe we can only love like that once in a lifetime.

One time during a school break, Bryan asked me for a kiss. I loved him, but I said no.
“But why? Don’t you love me?” he asked.
“I’m saving it for our wedding day. My mother said I must keep myself until I get married,” I replied.
“But am I not your husband?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s why we have to keep it for our wedding,” I said.

Bryan didn’t see the need to wait, and for days he kept pressuring me for a kiss. But I kept saying no.

One day, before we came home for our last vacation, I received a letter from Bryan.
“Lucia, we have to meet one last time. My dad says we’ll be leaving the country and may not come back for a long time. But don’t worry, I will come back for you. I will kiss you when we meet.”

During that vacation, we met at the little pond in our neighborhood. I was heartbroken. I begged him not to go, but he had no power over it. He comforted me, and then he asked again, “Now that I’m going, will you give me a kiss?”
I shook my head. “If you really love me and will come back for me as you promise, then I’ll kiss you when you come back,” I said.
“But what if I… don’t come back?”
“Then no kiss for you. Maybe this will be your motivation to come back for me.”

Bryan left, and after that, we didn’t hear from each other again. Social media wasn’t really a thing back then, and we didn’t have phones. We grew up and eventually forgot each other.

I dated other men. I kissed them without them even asking. I was a woman now; I let go of my girlish beliefs. I loved, I lost, and eventually, I found the one. Our wedding was set for the weekend, which happened to be the 6th of January that year.

On New Year’s Day, I was trying on my gown when I got a call. It was Bryan.
“Lucia, I’m back in town. Where are you?”
I was in the neighborhood where we grew up, at my parents’ place for the wedding.
“Meet me at the pond,” I said without thinking.

My seamstress watched me leave in haste, wondering what was wrong with me.

I met Bryan at the pond. He looked so good, and my feelings came rushing back. But he was disappointed when he saw me in a wedding dress.
“Are you getting married?”
Tears trickled down my face. “I’m… I’m sorry.”
“I guess we can’t kiss now. Congratulations,” he said sadly.

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I hugged him tightly. And then, suddenly, I kissed him. He was surprised at first, but he kissed me back. It was one of the best kisses I’d ever had. I had kissed before, but it felt like it was the first time.

Afterward, I ran away, too embarrassed to look at him. That kiss was special. Though I’ve avoided Bryan since then, I still remember it, and I celebrate it.

New Year’s Day reminds me of my first love and our first kiss. Though we are not together, I don’t regret what I did, and I’m glad he finally got his kiss.