Memory

"For most of our lives, we don't think that what we're doing is important. It seems like ninety-nine percent of the time we're thinking about things we've already done, in the past, or our to-do lists, our hopes, our dreams, the future. We're too busy with thoughts to focus completely on the present. We only focus when something really important is happening.
"Do you know how memory works? We can only make memories well when we're focusing on that moment. That's why we misplace our keys, or leave the stove on. They're things in our daily routine. We never think about them consciously. It's not important. We remember important things, because we recognize them as important at the time.

"When a bear is chasing you through the woods, trying to tear your head off, that's something you remember for the rest of your life. Why? Because you're fully in the moment. You have to be. And then later, because you were so intensely focused, you can remember everything about that event: the exact shade of brown of the bear's fur, how many teeth he was showing you, how long the strands of saliva dangling from his teeth were, the crunch of the leaves under your hiking boots, the scrape of his claws against the earth, the smell of the pine trees, the crisp autumn mountain air, your sweat.

"Now, being attacked by a bear isn't the only way to create a memory. You can make new memories at any time. If you focus on being in that moment, concentrate on taking everything into your mind through all of your senses, leaving nothing behind, licking the entire plate clean, you can make a memory that will last you for the rest of your life.
"We can't be sure what will happen to us. Maybe we'll get in a fight next week, break up, move on, and never see each other again. Maybe we'll stay together, get married, grow old, and love each other til the day we day. Maybe somewhere in between. We can't see what circumstances the future will give us. But what we do in this very moment can change our futures. We can control the future by creating the past, by making a memory that will last until we die.
"Let's make a memory together. Focus. Concentrate. Feel the sand under your toes, soft, but also grainy and hard. The wind blowing that strand of hair across your face. You pushing it back away. That child's laugh. The gentle crashing of the waves. The burning sunset. The salty air. Our hands, warm, together.
"We can make this last forever. In this moment, I love you more than anything in the world. I might not feel the same way ever again. But in my memory, the memory I make right now, I'll be loving you this powerfully, and since I'll have this memory forever, I'll love you forever."