Small moments

The scent of rain, in the moments just before the drops start to fall.

The taste, warmth and texture of my wife's lips, the first time we ever kissed.

The slight, warm weight of my infant daughter as she sleeps on my chest.

Standing in the summer sunlight, the heat of the sun on my upturned face.

The glee in my toddler daughter's eyes as I cover her in a pile of autumn leaves.

That terrifying, beautiful, heart-stopping moment just before the love of my life says "I do."

The air-shaking crash of thunder as lightning ignites the sky.

The secret smile on my mother’s lips as she watches me and the girl I’ve just met talking.

Grabbing my little brother by the shirt collar before he could run into the street, his screams of joy echoing as he watches the fan-made "Batmobile" pass by.

The curve of my young daughter's smile as a butterfly walks gently on the tip of her finger.

That sunshine-infused cinnamon honey smell of my wife's warm skin.

The gentle strength of my wife's hands as she rubs my back.

My uncle fiercely holding my hand as he says “I love you,” when he’s actually saying “Goodbye.”

My pride in the first published edition of the newspaper after I was installed as its editor.

My shocked joy in seeing my name at the top of a syndicated column.

The pleased moans my wife makes when I rub her feet.

My Dad saying "I'm proud of you, kid."

The explosive light in a student's eyes when everything comes together in their mind.

The confusion, uncertainty and hope of meeting my older sister for the first time.

The delighted cackle of my little sister as she successfully locks me in my room.

Finding out from a DNA test that I'm mostly Nigerian.

The ancient immensity of Rome's Colosseum making 6-foot-5 me feel tiny.

The moment that self-absorbed manager, who had told me "It'll never work," realizes I've just proven him wrong.

My heart stopping as my love walks towards me down the aisle.

My eyes burning as the pastor says "husband and wife."

The soothing heat inside my car that's been sitting in the summer sun all day.

My daughter's annoyed grumbling as her mother takes the 10th first-day-of-school photo of the day.

My daughter's shrieks of joy as the garbage truck crushes everything.

The explosion of color as a butterfly takes flight.

The alien oddness of the praying mantis perched on our fence.

The lovely buzz of the clippers in my ear as the barber cuts my hair.

Small moments.

A lifetime of memories.

Savor yours.