Chidalu could hardly contain his exhilaration. He nervously bit his lip as the plane gently rolled into the terminal bay. His knee bounced eagerly up and down on the ball of his foot as he waited for the seatbelt light to ding and extinguish.

Ding!

Finally!

Thank God he had been seated on the aisle! Chidalu popped up from his seat, flung open the overhead compartment, and yanked out his carryon bag with such exuberance that other passengers’ bags nearly toppled out onto the head of an elderly passenger seated behind him.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Ma! Please forgive!” he pleaded, bringing his hands together and bowing toward her graciously. Annoyed, the wrinkled corners of her mouth turned downward to hold a stern expression. She gave a slight nod of the head indicating all was well and Chidalu happily thanked her and moved toward the head of the plane.

Amused at the scene, another passenger asked, “First time in the U.S., huh?”

“Yes, it is! This has been a dream my whole life!”

“Really? You here on a visit? Or studying?”

“Actually, I’ve come to marry my fiancée,” Chidalu’s faced beamed with joy at the mention of her. Imagine. Finally stepping foot in America...finally becoming somebody’s husband. Finally becoming somebody’s father.

“Oh! That’s good! Will this be the first time you are seeing each other?”

“No. She’s been to Nigeria to visit me before.”

“That’s great, man! Best wishes to you!” The kind stranger reached out his hand to shake Chidalu’s, and Chidalu obliged.

When he drew his hand back he was shocked to find a hundred dollar bill in his palm. He looked up, intending to refuse such an exorbitant gift, only to find the man had already deboarded. Chidalu smiled, believing he had just encountered an angel, and tucked the bill in his pocket.

The crisp January air stung his face as he stepped off the plane. Hot tears protested the cold in the corners of his eyes, but Chidalu ignored them, thrilled by the winter wind. It was Harmattan in Nigeria, but he had never felt a cold like this before! He inhaled deeply, allowing the bitter, frosty wind to burn his airways. Such a sweet burning sensation!

Not even customs could wane Chidalu’s excitement. Every mundane question, every burdensome checkpoint widened his smile as he stepped ever closer to his destiny.

And finally, it was over...or just beginning? Luggage in tow, he exited the airport. It seemed to him that the automatic doors opened to him like the pearly gates of Heaven welcoming him into paradise.

Indeed, there was an unusual brightness in spite of the overcast sky. It was as though the dense clouds radiated pure white light, or maybe it was something else? Yes, he was sure of it now.

Her round face glowed with a radiant smile. Before he could stop himself, his luggage fell to the ground and he was embracing her, weeping deeply. Not even the most opportunistic thief dared to ruin their moment by a quick swipe of the unattended luggage. Let them have their moment.

Chidalu held her back from his face by her shoulders, gawking and taking her all in. A cute round belly was pointing up at him. She smiled at him, rubbing her tummy.

“I call him my little souvenir,” she joked.

At that moment, a single, individual, solitary, tiny ice crystal floated down from the heavens and alighted on Chidalu’s forehead. He looked up to see white flakes begin to fall from every direction all around him.

“Snow!” He shouted. “Wow! This is snow!” He danced happily in the falling snow and then leaned in and kissed his fiancée passionately.

His lips pressed firmly against hers, Chidalu would never know (how could he) that the snowflake that landed on his forehead was the absolute, very first snowflake that had fallen that year.