In the stillness of the night he came. She sensed a presence and awoke as he tenderly and gently took her small hands and said, "Come with me to Utopia, The Hidden Place. Let us search together, Dear Heart, for the promised land.

She pinned yellow roses in her hair and they started to walk down a long, winding road. The sun was shining full in her face and she glowed with happiness and wonderment, as hand in hand they began their search for peace and love in The Hidden Place.

  

By the side of the road they saw a young deer with lovely, brown eyes and were enthralled by such a picture of beauty. The glory of nature was fixed deep in their souls as they watched a majestic eagle come down from the skies.

  

"Let me show you a field of bluebonnets. Love, and that blanket of sunflowers close to the shore. Let's sit on the beach and hear the music of the surf, and watch the waves come rolling in. We can feel and sense the full force of God in the ocean's roar."

He put his arm around her and she snuggled close as they gazed out to sea. The unity and love that they felt was divine. He took her face in his hands and gently, softly kissed her sweet lips, and said, "Darling, for sure, you were meant to be mine.".

They worked their way inland and were awed by the loveliness of a mysterious lake. Nearby, in the trees, was a cabin of pristine beauty and grace. He held her closely in his arms and they both knew at once, without speech, that they had found The Hidden Place.

They sat on the porch, like one, and watched the sun as it paled and slowly settled into the horizon, so lovely and slow. As the sunlight waned and the shadows of dusk appeared, she knew in her heart and her soul that she had found her Prince Charming.

He held her close and could feel her beating heart. It was rapture and love and joy and wonder and the smell of roses in her hair. He kissed her upturned face with passion and love, and felt a wave of tenderness and felicity in their absolute togetherness.

She trembled with the excitement of the moment and her radiant face and neck flushed, sweet and pink. She felt butterflies in her stomach and was so happy in her new found love and joy that she was speechless.

Then, in some inexplicable way, the lake seemed to rise and change, and they named it "The Garden of Eden," for it was truly a garden where God's two children were united in love. Love was born on that night and they knew they were blessed by the heavens above.

Hand in hand, they entered the cabin and except for the cry of a loon across the lake, the rustle of the wind, and the howl of a coyote on a distant hill, all was quiet, all was still.

She awoke to the glories of a bright new day and the aroma of roses, sweet and strong. Memories burst forth and permeated her very being with the enchantment of the night. As she reminisced, a small tear rolled down her cheek as she relived all that had been shared.

Oh how she wished all of her dreams would come true, and love and peace and happiness she'd find. By the light of the new day she seemed unfulfilled and, yet, as she reached up to smooth a curl of hair, her hand came away with a bright yellow rose. Oh No! How could that be! She knew at that moment, beyond a shadow of a doubt, she would be going back to The Hidden Place, again and again.