At 17, John and Lucy made a pact to meet at 65 on a park bench beneath two old trees if life pulled them apart. Decades later—after love, marriage, divorce, and grandchildren—John returned to that bench, hopeful. But instead of Lucy, a man named Arthur was waiting. He revealed he was Lucy’s husband and said she wasn’t coming.

Just as John began to process the disappointment, Lucy appeared—breathless and determined to honor their old promise. They caught up, shared memories, but made no romantic plans. A week later, Arthur surprised John by inviting him to a barbecue. Lucy wanted him to meet someone: Grace, a warm, kind widow.

John and Grace formed a quiet, steady connection. Over time, the four became friends. On a beach trip, Lucy reminded John not to live in the past. Watching Grace approach, John realized she was right. Lucy was his beginning—but Grace was his now.