Some think it is what life is lived for. Others feel that it is one of life's lowest points. Personal experiences and emotions decide how we feel about this ambiguous word: love. Is love a noun or a verb? Do you have love or do you love? In the ideal case, you do both. I think love is many things: a feeling, an action, and a process. The process of falling in love is a very exciting yet sometimes devastating one. I am one of the lucky romantics to be a part of a very exciting and rewarding fall.

It was a cool February evening at the North Gwinnett High School baseball field, and the season opener for the Bulldogs freshman team. I was there with my best friend, Michele, as we called ourselves the "baseball groupies." The umpire called out "Play ball!" All know that those are the famous words that begin a baseball game. The boys took the field, played superior defense, and then took their turn at the plate. It was a flawless defensive game, with no score in the third. That's when it happened. I looked towards the right as I was talking to Michele, and over her shoulder something caught my eye. A fountain of blue was peeking under the bill of a navy Georgia Tech hat. The most gorgeous eyes I had ever seen were within one hundred feet of me, so of course I couldn't pass up the chance. I looked, and looked some more, and continued to do some more looking. Usually I would have taken the initiative and started a conversation, but not with this one; he was different. I asked Michele who he was and she replied, "I think his name is Joe. He's a senior on the varsity team." That's when I lost hope. Not only did he have beautiful eyes that probably attracted many other more beautiful girls, but he was also three years older than I was. I was a freshman, and he was a senior. "Oh well," I told my friend, "If he wasn't a senior I might have a chance."

A voice from above called my name. I looked to the press box. Stuart, a popular and oh-so-good-looking, senior was waving to me. I waved, and he motioned me up to join him. Michele and I joined him and another very attractive junior in the press box. We were watching the game from above when he entered. Joe and a couple of his friends joined us in the press box, and he greeted his teammates. My heart was pounding, my body tensed, and I had to hold my jaw closed to keep it from dropping. He was beautiful. His curly blonde hair was dying to have fingers run through it. His eyes, oh his eyes. They were mesmerizing. I then knew what "love at first sight" felt like. I smiled, and he smiled back at me. That was when the fireworks exploded, and I knew that this was going to turn into something special. Joe and I talked on the phone the next couple of days, one weekend night conversation lasting until the early morning hours. I liked him, and I had a pretty good feeling that this feeling was reciprocated. So I invited him over for dinner one night. He agreed, which I knew he would. I was nervous, really nervous and this was very unusual for me. He came over and met my mom. We devoured our steak and then watched the MTV movie, "2gether." What usually would have been a very tedious movie made us laugh. We continued our enjoyment of each other's presence, and ended the date with a sweet quick kiss. This kiss would mark the beginning of a pleasant and fulfilling relationship.

This was only the beginning of the process. We had instantly fallen in love. We continued to get to know each other, and learned new and exciting things about each other that we loved. Our relationship grew, and we were very pleased. Throughout the summer we enjoyed spending time together, trying to put away the thoughts of the giant hurdle ahead: Joe going off to college. As his hat read the night we met, he was going to attend Georgia Tech. Although Tech was not very far away, the workload at a tough school like that was going to cause seeing each other on the weekends to be a privilege. Our love for each other was going to be tested in the months to come.

Here we are, nine months after that first kiss and three months after he started school. It's been tough at times, but so far we have worked the hard times out. He comes up from school almost every weekend, and those are the times at which I am the happiest. We go to football games, basketball games, go to the mall, and go to the movies (which we now actually watch). All of these times are fun, but the times we enjoy most of all are the times when we are alone. Riding in the car is sometimes our most enjoyable times. I love getting to know Joe more and more, and to know that I have someone so special in my life.

We may not have reached some of the further steps of being in love, such as marriage and starting a family, but the love that we have is so complex and special. I am very thankful for Joe and all he has brought to my life. I thank God every day that he has given me such a gift as this. Joe and I stand here at nine months and going strong. Hopefully he and I will continue our love for a long time. A very long time.

Anna Wilson is a teenager at North Gwinnett High School. She has one sister and three stepbrothers. She enjoys playing sports such as basketball, softball, and tennis, and enjoys driving her new car. Her favorite subject in school is Math, and she is also an active participant in her school and church choirs.