Love . . . For the First Time
"What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)" by the Backstreet Boys
On an average Sunday afternoon, Troy and Gabriella walked through the doors of their local Jewel Osco. The store was moderately full of busy shoppers going about their routine grocery shopping. Gabriella stood there for a moment in her old pajama pants and sweatshirt and stared at the grocery list in her hand. Troy, still in his work out clothes from basketball practice, held a look of confusion as he wondered how he had ended up in a grocery store.
You don't run with the crowd
You go your own way
You don't play after dark
You light up my day
Got your own kind of style
That sets you apart
Baby that's why you've captured my heart
"I'm so excited! I can't wait for Chad to see his birthday cake!" Gabriella exclaimed.
"Why don't we just buy him a birthday cake?" Troy asked as they walked passed a display of apples and oranges.
"Because it's more fun and thoughtful to make it ourselves," she explained.
"Have you ever cooked anything before?" Troy asked, picking up a random banana and examining it.
"No . . . but it will be fun, I promise," she guaranteed, taking his hand and pulling him into an aisle.
Though slightly irritated, Troy still smiled at Gabriella's enthusiasm.
I know sometimes you feel
Like you don't fit it
And this world doesn't know
What you have within
When I look at you
I see something rare
A rose that can go anywhere
And there's no one I know that can compare
"So what kind of cake does Chad like?" Gabriella asked, checking the contents of each brand and flavor of cake mix.
Troy didn't answer, instead he watched Gabriella . . . really watched her. He studied her, finally reaching a pinnacle of realization. She wasn't like most girls, and when she made him mad, he still liked her. She could do anything and his feelings would still be the same.
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful
What's there inside you
Shines through to me
In your eyes I see
All the love I'll ever need
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful to me
He loved her smile. He loved her loopy girl handwriting. He loved her bell of a laugh. He loved the way she bit her lip when she was reading. He loved her faults. He loved . . . her.
You've got something so real
And you've touched me so deep
See material things
Don't matter to me
So come as you are
You've got nothing to prove
You won me with all that you do
And I want to take this chance to say to you
"Troy, you never answered me," Gabriella said, playfully shoving his arm.
"Probably chocolate," Troy replied, staring at the floor.
"Alright, now we need eggs," she stated, checking off her list.
"I have some at home," Troy told her, glancing at her list, "Actually, we have all of that except milk."
"To the milk!" she exclaimed, grabbing Troy's arm and skipping away.
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful
What's there inside you
Shines through to me
In your eyes I see
All the love I'll ever need
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful to me
A store employee glared at Gabriella, so she slowed to walk.
"Why are you so enthusiastic about this?" Troy asked her, laughing.
"Because I want Chad to be happy," she declared.
The two walked past the rows of cereal boxes and other random food items. As they neared the dairy aisle, Gabriella scanned the area for milk.
You don't know how you've touched my life
Oh in so many ways I just can't describe
You've taught me what love is supposed to be
You saw the little things that make you beautiful to me
"I love . . . cows they give us dairy products!" Gabriella laughed, picking up a carton of milk.
"Moo," Troy said, adding suddenly, "Do you love me?"
Gabriella stopped and looked at him deeply. Did she love him? In their short time of being together, this question had not come up. But as early as it was, and answer was ringing loudly, clearly, and repeatedly through her mind.
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful
What's there inside you
Shines through to me
In your eyes I see
All the love I'll ever need
What makes you different
Makes you beautiful to me
As she stared at him, dumbstruck and speechless, he decided to speak up.
"I don't know about you . . . but I love you Gabriella," Troy stated shyly.
The statement didn't come as much of a surprise, but Gabriella felt her cheeks flush.
Everything you do is beautiful
Love you give shines right through me
Everything you do is beautiful
Oh you're beautiful
To me.
And in that moment, the carton of milk dropped from Gabriella's hand and fell onto the floor. The pale liquid leaked out and created a pool at her feet.
But instead of crying over spilled milk, the two met in a kiss amongst the mayhem of the grocery store.