Many many years ago, five of us, G6, G10, G10 and B10 were at the river/beach. The water was shallow to about chest high on all of them and they loved to wade up to me, climb on my bent knee and I would launch them high and let them make a fun splash-down. Eventually, G6 climbed on my knee but turned and hugged me, chest to chest, and asked me to take her into the deep part. Her frightened embrace caused my heart to bang against my ribs with joy. Soon, the other two girls wanted a ride out to the deeper part. Eventually, everyone except the G6 grew bored with the game. G6 wanted a ride out into the deep part again, this time I took her out until just our heads were above water. Her arms were wrapped tightly about my neck but she kept her face pointed at mine. Her sweet breath bathed my face and after assuring her that everything was safe, I broke down and told her that she was so pretty I could just kiss her. She puckered and pulled me to her. Our kiss was quite chaste -- a typical child-kiss.

Fortunately, I was holding her high enough that she did not know how much I was wanting to spend the rest of my life in that exact spot with her.

We were out there only for about 5 minutes but those 5 minutes were forever treasured in my memories.