One day, one person, one moment, in just a few seconds could be the start of a change made in your life forever. You never really expect it; it just happens. For the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad you just accept it, because as they always say, "God does not give you anything you are not strong enough or capable enough to handle." They also say, "People come into your life for either a blessing or a lesson, but you never lose. You either win from it or learn from it." I won, I lost, I was blessed, and so much more, but most of all I learned. I went through it all, but overall it made me a stronger individual. This is how it all started.

One day. November 25, 2013. It was beyond freezing in Chicago. The cold never ruined my day. I never let it. Saturday was "mall day" and there was no way I was passing that up. My outfit for the day was simple. Pink tank top, white ripped skinny jeans, pink and white 13's, a poofy ponytail with Chinese bangs, a pink bow, and my pink and white belt. That was simple for me at least. I skipped down the stairs energetically and greeted my mom. "Good morning Ma!" I said enthusiastically. She gave me the warmest smile; The smile that I loved to see. "You headed out sweetie?" she asked. "Yea, I'm just going to the mall. Would you want anything?" I questioned. "Oh, no honey, I'm fine." She replied. I hugged her, grabbed my coat and car keys, and strolled out of the front door. I would get her something anyways. She and I both knew that.

One person. The Downtown Mall in Chicago was always crowded and crazy. You could see kids absconding from their parents in search of candy or toys all the way to paupers on their hands and knees begging you for spare change. You would be lucky if you were able to see the ground to take your next step in there. Above all of that, I loved the scenery and the thrill. Saturday was the most busiest day and i was doing my regular— entering every store worth shopping in, and shopping. I tried to avoid the Footwear ` N Gear store with my all but I failed. I always did. New track shoes and J's would always catch my attention and lure me in. Sometimes I wished that they would terminate this store so that i would not have access to it. I entered on a mission to get everything I had seen until he approached me. Everyone knew him, and believe it or not, everyone had a story to tell about him as well. "Hi. Welcome to Footwear ` N Gear. I'm Chersanto. If you need any help, or if you are having any trouble finding anything I will be of assistance" he said to me with the brightest smile. I was in a daze. I just stared at him until he asked showing the most perfect white teeth I had ever laid eyes on, "Um, do you need any assistance?" "Uh, um.. yes," I stammered. "I was wondering if you had those J's on display in a size five." "I don't know. Let me go and see" he replied. As I waited for him, I thought to myself, "Wow. He is not what everyone makes him out to be." While I was in the middle of thinking heavily he returned. "You're in luck!" he said loudly. "This was the last pair in a size five." He handed me the shoes and I thanked him. He checked me out and the cost was $127.59¢. I gave him $130.00 and told him to keep the change. Smiling, he said, "Alright, um.. can I get a number?" I was shocked. I was also single. Why not? "Sure," I replied. "Cool, I'll call you tonight if um, that's okay um...—" "YN." I interjected. "YN... I like that," he said biting his bottom lip. "Well, I'll see you around?" he asked. "Maybe, maybe not. Just keep your eyes open," I said smiling as I sauntered out of the door.

After shopping at a few more stores I finally decided that it was time for me to head home. When I got there, I tried to hurry off to my room and wait for this expected call, but my mom stopped me dead in my tracks. "Baby, Ray called earlier. Why don't you just take the darn boy back?" she asked. I was extremely opinionated when our conversations came to this topic and my responses were always terse. I thought this would result in an altercation because I always became irate when she brought up this situation, but this time I did not. This was a dilemma that was past due being put behind me and forgot about. "Ma," I said. "I'm done with him for the last time. I can't put myself in a position to get hurt again. I don't want him anymore; I don't need him," I said reassuringly. "None of your ex boyfriends took you out or took you shopping," she exclaimed. "I never liked Jodie, Chris, Dj—" "Mom!" I shouted laughing loudly. "Stop, you're making me seem like a whore. Chris didn't even count. We only dated for like three days. Keep in mind, throughout those three days, we hadn't seen each other once. "Well," my mother said giggling. "I'm getting old YN. I need grandchildren before I'm in my grave. I'm not saying you should have one right now because you're only 19, but it was just a thought. "More like a request," I joked. We talked for almost two hours at the dinner table before I excused myself. I got up to go upstairs and prepare for my shower. I walked past my mom's room and turned back around to place on her bed all that I had bought her. She should have already knew that I would buy her something. I showered for about an hour or so and laid down to air dry. As soon as I got out and was ready to close my eyes and try to fall asleep my phone began ringing.

I did not recognize the number that appeared on my phone, so I began smiling to myself. I had a good feeling that it was him calling. I hurriedly answered my phone when I realized that I was just smiling at it, letting it ring, and not answering. "Hello?" I answered. "So, you didn't give me the wrong number?" he asked uneasily. I giggled and replied, "Of course not." "You have an adorable laugh," he told me, making me laugh once again. "Thank you," I replied. "You looked beyond beautiful today YN. It's not my first time noticing you, but I just never worked up any courage to speak. I've always wanted too, I just found it quite arduous." he told me out out of nowhere. "Well that was erratic of you. What made you come out of your shell today?" I asked. "I guess, it was just the right moment. It was an auspicious time and I kind of had no choice. My boss expects employees to greet every incoming customer. I was secretly hoping you stopped by anyways," he told me. I smiled to myself and responded jokingly, "Well, I'm glad you finally worked up the nerve to speak. Even though it was sort of mandatory, ha. How intrepid." He chuckled and blurted out, "You maybe, possibly, if you dont have anything to do, would you go out with me tomorrow?" "Like a date?" I questioned curiously. "Umm.. if you want it to be. I mean—" giggling I interjected and said, "It's a date." "Cool. cool," He said with relief. "I'll pick you up at 8?" he asked. "Sounds good to me," I replied. We talked until the crack of dawn. Our chat was perennial. The conversation jumped around everywhere all night, and we learned so much about each other in just that one phone call. Little did we know, we had a lot more to learn about each other. When we finally got off of the phone I plugged my phone up to the charger and drifted off to sleep. I had a good feeling about this. About him. An unknown feeling crept upon me that night. A feeling I had not felt since before it happened. That night I got a good nights rest. My first time in a very long time.

One moment, in just a few seconds, could be the start of a change made in your life forever. Unexpected, but happily accepted. I had no idea what the future fated for the both of us, but I was hopeful.