Rekindling an old flame

As I stood in my kitchen, staring at the ingredients for my overnight oats parfait, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. It had been over 20 years since I last saw my college sweetheart, and I was about to come face to face with him at our reunion.

I grabbed the rolled oats, feeling their rough texture between my fingers, and thought about the late nights we spent studying together in the library. I poured in the milk, watching it swirl and combine with the oats, and remembered the lazy Sunday mornings we spent cuddled up in bed, sipping coffee and talking about our dreams.

I added the yogurt, feeling its cool, creamy texture, and thought about the many arguments we had over the years. We were young and passionate, and we didn’t always see eye to eye. But despite our differences, we always managed to find our way back to each other.

I drizzled honey over the top, watching it glisten and sparkle in the light, and thought about the day we broke up. It was a devastating blow, and for a long time, I didn’t think I would ever recover. But time has a way of healing wounds, and over the years, I slowly began to move on with my life.

As I placed the bowl in the refrigerator to chill overnight, I felt a mix of emotions. I was excited to see my college sweetheart again, but I was also nervous. Would he still be the same person I fell in love with all those years ago?

The next morning, I carefully layered the oats with the mixed berries and nuts, feeling the crunch of the nuts between my teeth. I took a bite, and the flavors exploded in my mouth. The tartness of the berries, the sweetness of the honey, and the creaminess of the yogurt all came together in perfect harmony.

I grabbed my overnight oats parfait and headed to the reunion, my heart pounding in my chest. When I saw my college sweetheart for the first time in over 20 years, I was struck by how little he had changed. His eyes still sparkled with the same intensity, and his smile still lit up the room.

We spent the evening catching up, reminiscing about old times, and laughing at all the silly things we did in college. As the night wore on, I felt a familiar spark begin to reignite between us.

By the end of the night, we were holding hands, and I knew that we had found our way back to each other. As the night came to a close, my college sweetheart and I found ourselves standing outside under the stars, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.

“I can’t believe it’s been so long,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I’ve thought about you so many times over the years.”

“I’ve thought about you too,” I replied, feeling my heart swell with love. “I never forgot about you.”

“I never forgot about you either,” he said, leaning in closer. “And I never stopped loving you.”

And with those words, he leaned in and kissed me, and all the years melted away. It was as if no time had passed at all, and we were back in our college dorms, young and in love.

We spent the rest of the night wrapped in each other’s arms, exploring each other’s bodies and rekindling the passion we once shared. As we made love under the stars, I felt a deep sense of love and connection, and I knew that we were meant to be together.

As I drove home, I couldn’t stop smiling. The overnight oats parfait may have been a simple recipe, but it had given me the most precious gift of all: a second chance with the love of my life.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, and honey. Stir until well combined.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
3. In the morning, remove the oats from the fridge and give them a stir.
4. In a jar or glass, layer the oats with the mixed berries and nuts.
5. If desired, sprinkle the chia seeds over the top for added crunch and nutrition.
6. Enjoy your overnight oats parfait cold, or warm it up in the microwave for a cozy breakfast.