The stars were out in full, the crickets a little quieter. He had enjoyed talking to Allie and wondered what she'd thought about his life, hoping it would somehow make a difference, if it could.

Perfect love did that to a person, and this had been perfect.

Spending time with you showed me what I’ve been missing in my life.

Proximity bred familiarity, and familiarity bred comfort.

Because it protects you. And when I jumped from the Humvee, I believed it would save me, too, in the same way you believe it will always save you.” “No, I don’t,” Thibault began. “Then why, my friend, do you still carry it with you?

I think you're intelligent and charming, and that you're a person with a kind heart. I know that when you want to, you can look more beautiful than anyone I've ever met. You're independent, you've got a good sense of humor, and you show surprising patience with children." -Alex

She was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.