I spin around, arms outstretched, feeling the rain pelt against my skin. The wind tugs at my hair as if to get my attention. I turn to see Jasper with rain slicked back hair observing me carefully, the corners of his lips upturned. I look down at the puddle forming around my feet and laugh.

In the middle of an abandoned street, I feel more grounded than ever. I squint through the rain at him and the joy that sweeps throughout me envelopes me in warmth. I jump through the puddles until I’m close enough to peer up into Jasper’s eyes.

I grab both of his hands and each raindrop splashing on my face conjure a vivid memory of Jasper playing the piano for me. His fingers fly deftly across the keys punching out an overplayed cheesy love anthem that’s surely dated by now. I laugh because with all his talent he is playing me a song that requires so little skill. He sings along, and I laugh harder because his singing is off key, somehow adding more charisma to his performance. Now here I stand smiling up at him blinking the raindrops out of my eyes.

Memories of us flood my mind. There we were throwing around a baseball at the local park, laughing, and rolling around in the green grass. Staring up at the night sky, we wish on stars all while singing the Disney theme song. How Jasper managed to pry a smile out of me even while studying for a physics test is a marvel in itself. He’s just like that, I guess.

“Do you remember the first thing I said to you?”

“Of course, Liv. You told me that I don’t look like a Jasper,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“No,” I said gravely. “Try again.”

He sighs and chuckles, “Well, I was trying to let you off easy, but I believe you told me to shut up.”

“Yes, I did.”

“And why,” he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, “is that relevant?”

“Shut up, Jasper, and dance with me!”

And we danced through the rain, smiling from ear to ear. And though the thunder boomed and the cold of the rain sank beneath my skin, I kept smiling because Jasper was there dancing with me.

Is our love story complete? Absolutely not. I think I would call it the beginning at this point. We have the potential to blossom into a masterpiece. Sure there may be cloudy days ahead and storms a-brew, but love isn’t just the happy moments. True love is being able to hang onto all of the good times even through your trials and fight for the happiness you share together. Sunshine filled days and moonlit nights are nice, but it’s how you dance through the storms that defines your love.