As soon as they arrived, the atmosphere felt different. Caleb Malone removed his aviator glasses and took his eyes over the scenery. Acres of land surrounded them. Green grass, and a woodland area sat in the backdrop. Further than that, hills and mountains rose, almost as if they were connected to the skyline. The breeze in the air was perfect; a soft slow wind that held no chill and only fresh air.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it,” Erin said standing next to him.

Caleb slipped an arm around her shoulder and Erin responded with an arm around his waist.

“Very,” he said.

“I think the organizers want to get started right away,” Erin said.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing we went straight to the room and put our things up.”

“Yeah.” Erin leaned into him and Caleb held her close at his side.

“Thank you for doing this with me,” he said looking down at her.

Erin blushed. “Thank you for giving it a chance.”

“Anything for my girl.”

He tickled underneath her chin and Erin squealed. She attempted to run from him and he grabbed her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

“Hey!” she squealed. “No fair! How would you feel if I put you on my shoulder?”

Caleb chuckled. “Yeah, I liked to see you try.”

Erin pressed her nose against his face and took a small bite of his ear.

“Girl, that only makes me horny.”

Erin squealed out a giggle.

“Okay folks gather round,” the organizer said appearing out of nowhere. He glanced over at Caleb and Erin just as he placed her back on her feet. “I’m glad you guys are getting an early start on today’s adventure,” he added.

Other couples chuckled as all eyes turned to them. The organizer was a middle-aged man with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He was dressed down in a jean jumpsuit with combat boots on his feet. Locked around his waist appeared to be a harness and Erin wondered what their day would bring.

“Welcome to Camp Zen Retreat Center. As you all know this program is for veterans and servicemen and women who’ve been wounded from war. This specific program is also for the families as well. Here, you’ll take the time to slow down, breathe deeply, build relationships, and reconnect with those you love most.”

The couples were nodding as they were all hopeful in a successful experience.

“Our first adventure of the day starts right now. If you’ll form a line starting here, my wife Linda here will hand you all a harness.”

The couples got in formation and two by two they were all given the necessary equipment for their first exploration. Afterward they walked two acres across the field and followed a trail into the woods. They passed a creek and a few squirrels that scrambled up trees to get out of their way. When they made it to a floating car, Caleb and Erin glance overhead.

“Oh boy,” Erin said, and a huge smile crossed Caleb’s face.

“What’s wrong, baby doll? You’re not scared of a little zip lining, are you?”

Erin shoved him playfully. “Not when I’m with you.”

The words slipped out of her mouth and she popped her lips closed. Caleb wrapped his arms around her and drew her in placing a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m glad you feel that way. I would never let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” she said.

Inside the floating car, the couples held still as it road to a treehouse built like a large hut. They emptied out and ironically the first couple up was them.

“Which one of you would like to go first,” the organizer asked.

“I will,” Caleb said. “I want to be on the receiving end when she comes to me.”

Erin heard all kind of double meanings, but she worked to calm her fast beating heart.

“Alright, let’s get you hooked.”

It only took a few latches to connect Caleb to the line. He stood tall and strong, appearing ready for anything.

“Ready, here we go!” The organizer let him loose and Caleb went flying over the stream and wooded area below.

“Wooo!” He shouted, making Erin and the others laugh out loud.

Her heart warmed to see him enjoying himself, but her pulse quickened when it was her turn.

“You’re up!” The organizer said turning to Erin.

“God, he made that look so easy,” she said.

“It is easy, you’ll be fine,” he reassured.

Erin watched as the organizer snapped her together.

“Ready?” he said.

“You can do it baby!” Caleb shouted.

Erin smiled as the couples behind her whooped and hollered, helping Caleb build Erin’s confidence. It was then that she realized she’d do anything or go anywhere with Caleb.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, keeping her focus on a grinning Caleb.

“Here we go!”

Erin took in a deep breath as she sailed in the direction of Caleb. She took her eyes off him for a second, long enough to catch a glimpse of the beautiful scenery around her. When she made it to the other side, Caleb caught her as she rushed into his arms. The warmth that enveloped them immediately made her heart beat even faster than that rush had.

“Oh my God,” she said, “that was amazing.”

“It was, wasn’t it,” he said. “And I have you to thank for it.”

Erin blushed.

“Why do I all of sudden feel like I can do anything,” Caleb continued.

Erin grabbed his chin making sure to stare him in the eye.

“It’s because you can do anything. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, baby.”

Caleb captured her lips. It was a reflex that he couldn’t and didn’t want to contain. When they came up for air they smiled with yearning at each other and the rest of the trip was an even bigger hit.

For five days and four nights, they were met with a different quest. They fished, reminding them of being lakeside in their high school days. The canoe brought a different set of adventure, and the kayak was just as thrilling. During their five-mile hike, Caleb and Erin found themselves veering off the trail to make out and fill each other up. They never went too far and always popped back into the group before anyone noticed they were missing. On the mountaintop, they sat side by side with their legs folded underneath them in a quiet meditation where they both reconnected with God. At least to them it felt like there was a spiritual awakening that resided on the mountaintop.

After it was over, they strolled back, hand in hand, quiet and thinking things through. Caleb hadn’t expected to feel reinvigorated, like it was okay to live life outside of the Army. But the solace and serenity gave him a new will for life; the will to live and not merely serve for the obligation of it.

The revelation surprised him as he never thought the Wounded Warriors could help with the scars he possessed. But he’d been proved wrong and all along it was Erin that held the answers, whether she knew it or not. The last day of their retreat was just as revitalizing as the first with a final quest on horseback. As Caleb and Erin rode their mares alongside each other, the quietness around them was removed.

“I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Caleb began.

Erin smiled over at him. “Don’t thank me, thank this wonderful program.”

“Yeah, but without you, I would’ve never come here.”

“I’m happy you enjoyed yourself. It’s been one of the best times in my life.”

“Me too,” he said. “What would you think about me staying,” he said.

Erin’s eyes widened. “Why would you ask me a question you already know the answer to?”

Caleb chuckled. “I mean, if I stayed only in the reserve.”

Erin studied him for a moment.

“I’d like to be here with you, but still have the brothership and bond I had when on active duty. And if the country really needs me in the state of an emergency…”

“I understand,” she said.

Erin didn’t know what to say. The army was a part of Caleb now, so this proposition was a good one and she would take it.

“I’d love for you to be an army reserve,” she said.

Caleb’s eyes twinkled. “Yeah?”

Erin blushed. “Yeah.”

Caleb stopped his horse and climbed down. He strolled over to Erin and lifted her, pulling her into his arms. The thickness of his biceps encircled her waist and her arms coiled around his neck. They kissed, soft, slow and long before pushing their foreheads together and exchanging heated breaths.

“I love you,” Caleb said.

Erin’s complete nervous system went into a frenzy.

“I love you, too.

They kissed again.

“Will you be my date for the Centennial Ball?”

Erin laughed. “Of course. I thought you’d never ask.”

They kissed again as a current of air swirled around them.