A reflection of an experience as told by the archivist

It was a warm, sunny day, and the world seemed to glow with a kind of gentle vibrancy that made everything feel alive. The shimmering blue water of the pool beckoned, promising cool relief from the sun’s embrace. My girlfriend, Clara, and I had decided it was the perfect day for a swim.

I was already lounging by the pool, a book in hand that I had barely started reading. The golden rays of sunlight reflected off the rippling water, casting dancing patterns onto the pages. I glanced up as Clara stepped out of the house, a towel slung over her shoulder, her hair pulled back in a loose bun. Her smile lit up the space between us like the sun itself, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pride—though I’d never say it aloud—just to be with her.

She dropped her towel onto a chair and sat down beside me, trailing her fingers in the water. “Are you going to swim or just work on your tan?” she teased, her tone playful.

“Maybe both,” I replied, grinning. “But I could be convinced to join you.”

Clara laughed, the sound light and melodic, and stood up. She dove into the pool with a graceful arc, slicing through the water effortlessly. I watched as she emerged, her shoulders cutting through the surface as if she belonged to the element. It wasn’t just her athleticism that held my admiration—it was everything about her. Her determination, her curiosity about the world, her sharp wit that kept me on my toes. She was a force of nature, both strong and endlessly intelligent.

I set my book aside and slipped into the water to join her. She was floating on her back, her face tilted toward the sky, a serene smile on her lips. “You look deep in thought,” I said, swimming up beside her.

“Just enjoying the moment,” she replied, tilting her head toward me. Her eyes sparkled like the water around her. “Do you ever think about how small we are compared to everything else? Like, this pool is a world of its own right now. It’s kind of beautiful, isn’t it?”

I chuckled softly. “Leave it to you to turn a sunny afternoon into a philosophical discussion.”

She splashed me playfully, sending droplets of water flying into the air like tiny diamonds. “Don’t pretend you don’t love it.”

And I did. Every word, every thought, every moment spent with Clara was a treasure I didn’t take for granted.

We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, laughing, and sharing pieces of our thoughts, as if the pool was more than just a place to cool off. It became our sanctuary, a tiny world where the weight of everything else faded away.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, I sat on the edge of the pool, watching Clara climb out. She wrapped herself in her towel, her damp hair clinging to her neck, and sat beside me. I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers, and for a moment, everything felt infinite.

“Today was perfect,” I said softly.

She smiled, leaning her head against my shoulder. “Every day with you is.”