Jace and Allison, their story is the one you tell your kid to sleep, the one you’d make a movie about.

They met in their sophomore year. When he accidentally ran into her-

,, Oh my God, I’m so… sorry”- when he looked up at her, he felt something, something in his heart lit up

,, It’s okay…” she smiled and, walking away, brushed his arm

How can something this small set a fire in someone’s soul?

Over the next few months, Jace only fell in love harder. How could he not? When she smiled at him, it felt like someone had hugged his heart. When she looked at him, he didn’t just see captivating green eyes- he saw her soul. And every time, somehow, he felt closer to her, even when they didn’t talk. Jace was a shy boy; if the teacher hadn’t seated them together, nothing would have ever happened.

It’s been months of awkward small talk and stolen glances. And as much as Jace loathed math, he looked forward to it; Allison’s help made those forty-five minutes of his day the best part of it.

Jace often wondered if he should talk to her, at least try to be friends. However, in his life, he had only seen toxic love. His parents were divorced, but before that, they had always fought and yelled at each other. His father was emotionally and physically abusive; he beat his mother and him. He thought it was impossible to truly love someone, so he closed off. He couldn’t let himself hurt anyone, but that was before he learned that if you genuinely love someone, you would never hurt them. In fact, you would do anything and everything to make them happy. He dreamt of them having a life together, having kids, and growing old. Still, he knew that would never happen if he continued to be a coward, so when Valentine’s Day came, he wrote her a note, telling her how much he liked her. He finally asked her out, after months of stalling, and feelings became too strong to hold in.

He casually gave it to her during the math. When she started reading it, time froze, and he could only hear his heart beating out of his chest. He was ready for rejection; he felt tears welling up in his eyes, but then… she slipped him back the note, with a beaming smile that radiated joy and cheeks glowing like a brilliant sunset. She effortlessly captured the hearts of everyone around her, but she only cared about one of them.

I’ve been waiting for you to ask:)

When he read it, his heart sank; he thought he was dreaming. I mean, why would this extraordinary girl even think about this broken guy? But she did. She didn’t care about his baggage or that he didn’t know what love was, because she knew she was the one to teach him, the one to show it to him.

And now, years later, he carries the note in his wallet, not because it was written well —because really, it wasn’t —but because it reminds him of that feeling; it was like lightning had struck his heart.

After Valentine’s Day, they kept seeing each other, growing closer as friends, and as of May fourteenth, more. That day became sacred in their lives; it was the day they confessed their love, got engaged, and got married. It became their own family tradition.

It’s not like they were perfect together; they argued and had different opinions. But instead of fighting with each other, they reminded each other that they were a team, just them against the world.

When they finished high school, they went to college together and moved in together. Jace cut his family out because they were unsupportive of his relationship with Allison.

Allison’s family was the complete opposite of Jace’s; they let Jace stay over when his parents were fighting again, they often had dinners together, he talked to them about school, family, Allison’s dad became Jace’s dad, he asked him for advice about his relationship with Allison, about how to deal with his family, and about love. He overcame his traumas; they became a family. So when Jace asked for their blessing, the parents didn’t even think twice.

Jace took Allison’s last name; he didn’t want his broken family to be a part of their children’s lives. He didn’t talk much about them; they had never met, and that was for the best.

He pursued his passion and wrote a book about love, while Allison became a teacher. She knows how some kids struggle in high school and wants to help them.

They named their first daughter after the teacher who helped their spark only grow more. In total, they had four kids. Jace did everything to show his children what his parents never did; they really were the best parents to ever exist.

As years went by, Jace and Allison embraced traditions that improved their family life and grew to cherish moments that would become cherished memories. One such tradition emerged during the chilly autumn months when they would gather in the sprawling backyard to make homemade apple cider. The children would eagerly help gather apples, their faces flushed with excitement as they ran about, collecting the ripest fruits from their trees, laughter echoing throughout the crisp air. After an afternoon of hard work, they would gather around the kitchen counter, where Allison would guide their hands to wash, slice, and grind the apples. The warm smell filled the room as they simmered the cider on the stove. Jace would then set up a makeshift outdoor fire pit, where they would roast marshmallows and tell stories beneath the sky, the flickering flames illuminating the faces of his beloved children. In those moments, Jace often found himself reflecting on his own childhood, realizing that he had become a better dad than his father. He would catch glimpses of his children wrapped in blankets, eyes wide with wonder, and he felt an overwhelming sense of pride. He was no longer the little boy running away from the ghosts of a troubled past; he was a father he had always wanted. One day, while sipping cider by the fire, Lily, now a teenager, spoke up, asking-

“Dad, how did you know you loved Mom so much?”

Jace hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “It wasn’t just one thing, sweetie. It was a feeling that grew stronger over time. I paid attention to how she made me feel—how even on the worst days, she could turn the world around for me.” He paused, glancing at Allison, who smiled back warmly.

“It’s about trust and support. I felt safe with her.”

Ethan, curious as ever, chimed in, “And what was it like growing up with your parents?”

Jace took a deep breath. “It was tough. I saw a lot of things that weren’t normal, and it scared me. But that’s why Mom and I want you to have a better experience. We want you all to feel loved, no matter what. Love is about understanding, respecting each other, and growing together.”

The children sat quietly for a moment, pondering his words. Jace felt a warmth inside, knowing that they appreciated the story behind their family’s love. Each fire-lit night contributed to the deeper connection they shared, shaping a future where his children would value and recognize true love, just as he learned to do from Allison. As seasons changed and years passed, the children grew into their own unique selves, yet the bond among them remained unbreakable. They learned to lift each other up, understanding the importance of compassion and kindness, especially when navigating through their teenage years. With Jace and Allison as role models, they often resolved conflicts with conversations instead of arguments, fostering an environment where love reigned supreme. Over the years, Jace and Allison founded a local scholarship in their community to help students from complex backgrounds, much like Jace’s own. They understood the significance of support and opportunity. Through this initiative, they could provide resources and mentorship for those who needed it the most, allowing their love to extend beyond their family and reach out into the community. Jace often looked back on Valentine’s Day that changed his life, realizing how that single moment set off a cascade of events that led him to discover the true meaning of love. He cherished every memory they created together, recognizing that love flourishes when nurtured through kindness, understanding, and shared experiences. Their journey illustrated that, with the right partner, it is possible to transcend the past and build a beautiful future—one filled with hope, growth, and an everlasting bond.

They spent their thirty-fifth Valentine’s Day reminiscing about their wonderful life while standing in a cool night breeze, looking out at a river, under a sky filled with shining stars. It truly felt like fate.