No Bad Days
written by: Veronika Kordikowski
My boyfriend and I are staying at an all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. This gorgeous Valentine’s Day, later afternoon, we make our way towards the loud roaring ocean, which we’ve been warned is filled with dangerous rip-tides. However, the warm caressing breeze beckons us to walk along the crystal white beach shoreline.
We’re looking for a picturesque place to exchange gifts. I’m carrying a medium-sized gift bag I bought at the local convenience store, while my boyfriend totes his purchase of what could quite possibly be the largest gift bag I’ve ever seen.
As we stroll along the beach, navigating our path away from local artisans and hawkers, we suddenly stop.
My boyfriend, now standing with one leg up, reminds me of a flamingo. He begins moving his right foot in a clockwise motion in the wet sand as he carves out a HUGE heart. I’m in awe. What a sweet gesture of his love for me. I have no idea what will happen next.
He grabs my hand, and as we admire his artwork, an American tourist wearing shorts and headphones walks, oblivious of us, right through the heart. My boyfriend is visibly upset; he had planned to draw the perfect heart into the sand for me. But now this fool leaves his footprint in the middle of this romantic gesture. I hug my boyfriend and reassure him that it’s all okay, as it just adds character to the heart. Little do I know this is a smaller part of a bigger plan.
I take a photo for posterity’s sake.
My boyfriend asks if I’d like to sit in the middle of the heart on wet sand or move a short distance away on dry sand to exchange gifts. I choose the latter.
As we sit down across from each other, I hand him my bag, which he opens to find my amorous Valentine’s Day card and heart-shaped box of chocolates. He then hands me his bag. I reach all the way down only to find a tiny wrapped cube.
He takes the box from me, and my heart starts pounding a little faster. He opens it up and removes a shiny gold ring with one larger diamond in the centre, flanked on each side by 2 smaller, elegant diamonds. It’s gorgeous!
OMG, is this really happening? It feels harder to breathe. I take a deep breath in and force a long breath out. I gulp. I feel like I am a bystander watching this scenario unfold. I am giddy with anticipation. My skin is tingling. Is he going to profess his love for me? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be proposed to on Valentine’s Day in Mexico?
He then kneels down on one knee and pronounces, “I’ve loved you since the very first time I met you. I knew you were going to be my partner in life.” He then asks if I will marry him.
Can this really be happening? I found someone who, like me, lives with Schizophrenia, and he loves me in spite of it or maybe because of it. My face scrunches, and tears pour out of my eyes. I can’t hold back my emotions. I’m bawling, but I’m happy at the same time. I’ve finally found my person!
Quizzically, he asks again, “Is that a yes or?”
“YES! YES! OF COURSE YES!”
Gently, he places my grandmother’s, my mother’s mother’s, ring on my finger, and I melt into his embrace. We are so giddy. As he kisses me, the warmth of the wind hugs us, confirming our new stage in our relationship.
My now fiancé whispers in my ear, “I love you!” To which I reply, “I love you very much, too!” I feel overwhelmed! Am I in a Hallmark movie?
The sun is starting to set, and a hawker walks past as I proclaim, “We just got married! Oh, I mean engaged!”
He very politely giggles and replies, “Congratulations.”
NOTE:
Based on the Prompt – The Golden Hour Confession
- No Bad Days - July 10, 2026
- Another Lost Soul - March 30, 2026
- Almost 30 Years - November 17, 2025
