Out of My Element (13 page)

Chelsea had been training for this
marathon for months, and I was so proud of her. She was amazing with her
dedication and passion for running. I understood it completely. I had loved
soccer for as long as I could remember, and even though I was no longer playing
competitively, I was still sharing my love for the sport by coaching a
community league for at-risk kids. It was actually very rewarding, and I knew I
was making a difference in their lives.

“Does anyone see her yet?” I bit my
lip as I watched the approaching runners. There were a lot of them coming in. I
stood on my toes, trying to get a better look, and then I saw her.

Her beautiful red hair was swinging
back and forth in her ponytail; her hat was pulled low on her head. Her usually
pale face was flushed and shiny with sweat. I watched her get closer, and as
she glanced up at the clock on the right, she saw us. Her hand went to her
mouth as she continued to run toward the finish line. I sank to my knee and
waited for her to cross, unable to control the goofy smile plastered to my
face.

As Chelsea came to a stop in front
of me, the crowd grew around us. “Nick, what are you doing?” She smiled at me
as she tried to control her breathing.

“Chelsea, there are no words in the
dictionary to describe what I see when I look at you. Love seems like too small
a word for what I feel—you are my everything. You're it for me, the center of
my world, the owner of my heart, and the love of my life. I love you so much,
Chelsea. Will you marry me?”

She shook her head at me and
grinned. “You’re crazy, you know that, right?” 

I stood up and chuckled. “Well,
don’t keep me in suspense.”

“Are you kidding me? Of course I’ll
marry you!” She threw herself into my arms, and I spun her around, kissing her
through our smiles. “I’m getting your tux all sweaty.” She pulled back, but I
caught her before she got too far, pulling her hard against me. “I guess you’re
not concerned about it, huh?” she laughed.

“No, baby, it’s going to take a lot
more than sweat to make me ever let you go.” I gave her one more kiss before we
turned to face our friends. Two beautiful couples stared back at us with huge
smiles, and it hit me. This group was my family. They have shown me how to take
chances, tell the truth, say no, be random, sing out loud, laugh and cry, get
angry, get revenge, apologize, fall in love, say I love you, but most of all,
they’ve helped me learn to live life!