You settled beside her, sipping your cider as you watched the sun cascade its warm hues against the backdrop of corn and pumpkins. Lucy’s laughter blended with the sounds of children playing nearby, and the warmth of the season enveloped you both in a comforting embrace.

After finishing your cider, Lucy turned to you, the excitement bubbling up again as she suggested, “Shall we find some pumpkins to carve?”

You sprung up from the little bench you two had found just outside the confines of the corn maze and hold your hand out to Lucy.

Together, you made your way to the pumpkin patch, where sprawling vines cradled an array of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. Lucy darted from one pumpkin to the next, bending down to inspect each one closely as though they were hidden treasures awaiting discovery. You watched her, heart swelling with affection, reveling in this simple yet perfect moment.

“There!” she shouted, pointing excitedly at an enormous pumpkin perched on one of the lower vines. “That one is perfect!”