Rails & Sand - A Memoir

My wife had never been on a train before, but she always talked about wanting to hear the sound of the tracks beneath us. She’d ask, “When are we going by train?” and I’d say, “Soon.” But it never happened. Sometimes I wondered if she had accepted that we might never travel on a train together. I felt bad for not making it happen, but I never told her.

Then, last week, I had a work trip and thought, “Why not ask her to come along?” She was so excited that she couldn’t sleep the night before. So, we went. For the first time, she was on a train, and she loved everything about it, the sound of the train, the clinking of tea cups, and the rocking of the carriage. She kept sipping tea as we watched the views change outside.

At one point, I took her to the train door. She was nervous, but after I reassured her, she trusted me. We stood there together, feeling the wind and watching the train stretch ahead and behind us. It was amazing, like we were part of something bigger.

We stopped at a few stations, and I pointed out the landmarks. With every new sight, her excitement grew, like a child discovering something new. Her happiness was contagious, and it made everything feel special.

Now, I’ve always loved the mountains, and she’s always loved the beach. But over time, with her by my side, I’ve learned to enjoy the beach too. So, the next evening, before our return trip, we visited a nearby beach. It was the perfect way to end our time there, the soft sand beneath our feet and the soothing sound of the waves. It was everything she had dreamed of.

We stayed until the sky turned pink with the sunset, then left to catch our train home. Everything went smoothly, even without any big plans. It just felt like it was meant to be.