This is a story about two people who have given me more than they realize. Two people that changed my world, that have inspired me, that continue to silently be a tremendous source of strength for me. And my intention is to honor them while they can read this article and I would also like to inspire others to value the humans who positively affect their lives, who made an impact, who you want to KNOW how you feel but life sometimes prevents us from expressing our love. In theory, we are only here once, and it is imperative that those we love know it NOW.

We met in a diner, The Blue Bay, on Riverdale Avenue in the Bronx. We were all so excited to meet and while meeting at a diner sounds strange to some, it was exactly what was meant to be and exactly why I remember it being a diner. Sure, a five-star Michelin rated dining experience may be important to some; and trust me we eventually did experience fancy places; but for us this was different.

I watched as she discretely tried to tell him he had a crumb on his mouth, she wanted her son to be a perfect gentleman, flawless. What she didn’t know at the time, was that I was already smitten with him.  What she showed me that first night, was true love. A love I couldn’t wait to feel towards my own child.

We shared traditional Jewish food, we bonded, and right there in a diner over coffee, I fell in love with 3 people.

These two genuine people, loved me for me, loved the family I came from, provided me with the kind of love that only happens once in a lifetime in my opinion. They became another set of parents and a source of strength when I felt broken, happiness when I felt sad, reliability when I felt lost, reason when I felt unreasonable. They cared for me in a way I didn’t think was possible. I became part of something that I didn’t feel deserving of; a family that remained united regardless of life’s challenges.

I have learned so much from them both, I have learned forgiveness, I have experienced unconditional love, I have learned to see happiness in another’s eyes with true appreciation. 

I have been fortunate to have them embrace me through this turbulent life, with open arms and hearts that feel what I feel. I listen to them speak of life, of the future, which seems to be decreasing in years remaining. This past summer we spent a lot of time together, as a family; we laughed, we cried, we reminisced, and we all looked at the two souls that have flourished and become remarkable people through this journey.

Life has brought us together, quite possibly closer than we were years ago. As I witness them grow older, unable to do what they once could, yet still as strong as a bull with uniquely fragile hearts, I reflect on their impact on my life and that of my children.  I cherish them now even more than I thought imaginable.  I admire them. I honor them for who they are, how they love their children and grandchildren and I respect them with every ounce of respect I have. They have become my silent strength to persevere during difficulty. 

In a recent conversation they discussed how they want to see their family enjoy the here and now and their ability to contribute to that happiness, in any way possible, is of the utmost importance to them.  This got me thinking about how remarkable they truly are.  

I have seen life taken to soon from my own parents and I now look at these two people who have been part of my world for 23 years with gratitude. Gratitude for staying, gratitude for being who they have always been to me; a daughter-in-law that was once re-moved but found her way back.

Some kinds of love do not die, true love stays regardless of circumstance and has pro-vided me the knowledge that my intuition was right; I fell in love 23 years ago with 3 people in a diner, in the Bronx. And while our story has had many twists and turns, here we all are, living and appreciating the other. I find solace each night when I rest my head on the pillow knowing that I too am loved in a unique way by these very special humans.

Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, yoga therapist, founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Shala, located in Randolph, New Jersey, Upper Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey, and Delray Beach in Florida. NiyamaYogaShala.com.