Do you believe in love at first sight?

Elliot & Alexis

Recently, I went on a 5-day cruise to the Bahamas. On the evening of the third day, I was standing in the elevator on the cruise when a group of men joined me. One of them had a huge smile on his face – like Hillary Clinton when she sees balloons. He started talking about Alexis, a girl what he had met during the day on the Island Nassau and mentioned something about “love at the first sight”. His friends were making jokes. One friend said: “Dude, you felt in love?! When I fall, I only fall into water.” But the guy didn’t care. He continued talking about how wonderful she was. But, like in every Hollywood love story, there was a boundary. She was on a different cruise ship so they had to say goodbye for now. He explained he was going to meet her again after the cruise returned to Miami.

When we all left the elevator, I could not stop wondering if love at first sight really existed? I shook my head and pessimistically told myself, No, it was probably just the alcohol talking. Also, his skin was a bit red, he probably had a sunstroke.

Fifteen minutes later there was an announcement through the speakers that the ship would remain in Nassau that night due to heavy weather and would not drive to the next island like planned. Instead, we will head back to Miami tomorrow afternoon. I was really mad and sad, because I had paid a lot for this cruise and I was really looking forward to visiting the great syrup island the next day.

I tried to make the best out of it, though. I grabbed my friend and my camera and went to the beach to capture the sunset.

The Beach was almost empty, except for two happy lovebirds snuggling. I thought they are probably on their honeymoon. When I came closer, though, I recognized the guy from the elevator. I couldn’t help myself. I went over and introduced myself. Before the girl could say anything, I said, “And you must be Alexis.” Both looked at me like I was a crazy stalker. I explained quickly that I had overheard him in the elevator.

We talked a bit until the conversation kind of turned into a photoshoot. In the past years, I had taken so many pictures of couples, but I’d never had a photoshoot like this before. They two really connected so well, and were so focused on each other that I was invisible to them. Also, it was the shortest photoshoot I’d ever had. Within ten minutes min, I had more than enough to capture their love story.

I truly believe that the ship being stuck one more night in Nassau was fate. Everything happens for a reason! And you know what?! After this meeting, I wasn’t mad or sad anymore. I really was happy for them that they could spend one more day together in paradise!

So does love at first sight exist? After I met those two sweet people, I can say without a doubt that YES, there is!