It was a Valentine’s Day morning, just like any other. I woke up, sent my love a heartfelt message, and we continued our usual chats. Despite the long distance between us, with me at one college and her at another, our bond had grown over the past few months. She hadn’t yet verbally accepted my feelings, but our connection was undeniable. I had already expressed my love through a chat message, only to face rejection. Still, we kept in touch, our conversations flowing like they always did.

As the day unfolded, I prepared for my regular routine. I left for college, still texting her as I caught the bus. When I arrived, the Valentine’s Day rush was in full swing. I could see students running around with roses and chocolates. One of my classmates, a girl, came to class with a bouquet and chocolates—her Valentine’s Day gift from someone. My friends, unprepared for the day, quickly asked for flowers, and she happily shared, even giving me one. I couldn’t help but smile at the gesture, but deep down, I knew what I had to do.

It was the perfect moment to act. With a surge of courage, I decided to meet my love and propose. I wasn’t prepared, but a classmate with a cruiser bike offered to take me. Together, we left the college, both seeking an escape from the day’s predictable V-Day madness. We arrived at her town around 2 pm, knowing she wouldn’t be there until 5 pm. So, we spent the time in a shopping mall, soaking in the V-Day programs organized by the mall.

By 4:30 pm, we made our way to the bus stop where she would arrive. As we waited, my heart raced. At 5:00 pm, I finally saw her in person for the first time. My heart pounded like a drum, and I felt paralyzed. She swept me off my feet. I had to keep my distance—didn’t want to give her a shock. But my friend, eager to see me succeed, kept urging me on.

I stood frozen, unable to move, as she walked towards the street, completely unaware of my presence. My friend took charge, pulling me along through a shortcut, and soon, we were right ahead of her. As she walked towards us, her eyes finally met mine, and in an instant, the shock on her face was clear. She’d recognized me from my Facebook profile picture, and I could tell she knew exactly what I was there for.

She was stunned, but I couldn’t focus on her surprise. I was filled with love, and my heart knew only one thing: it was time to propose. She asked, with a confused expression, “What are you doing here?”

I simply replied, “I came here to meet you.”

We talked for a bit, and I introduced her to my friend, thanking him for his help. Then, without further hesitation, I pulled out the rose from my bag. In front of a crowd of at least a hundred people, stuck in an evening traffic jam, I kneeled and proposed to her—a moment straight out of a movie. Holding the rose, I stayed kneeling, feeling both exhilarated and nervous, as time seemed to freeze.

For what felt like an eternity, I held the pose. My mind snapped back to reality when I realized we were in the middle of a traffic block, with curious onlookers waiting to see what would happen next. Would she reject me? Would it be a slap in front of everyone?

But then, something miraculous happened. She took the flower from my hand, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. In that moment, I felt like I had achieved everything I could ever dream of. She had accepted me, and I had shared my love with her in the most unforgettable way.

That Valentine’s Day, two things happened that would forever change my life. I finally expressed my first love, and in the process, I gained a friend for life—the one who took me on his bike to meet her and, with his persistence, pushed me to take that leap and propose.