Heidelberg Rooftop

We sat on the edge of the rooftop, letting our legs dangle freely so that our feet tapped lightly against the side of the twelve-story student building.  Facing east we could see the old city nestled at the base of the two mountains that straddled the River Neckar.  If I loved Heidelberg up to that point, I fell in love thereafter.  We could see the Heidelberg castle on the hillside, hovering just above the rest of the city.  We could make out the dark outlines of where the Neckar was snaking through the valley, underneath the old bridge where the reflection of the city's lights off the water's surface was at its strongest, and out toward Mannheim.  If ever time actually stood still for me, it was here.  I had just met her, but it seemed like in that morsel of interminable time we had become friends, a connection so resolute.  I had been nervous talking with her, as beautiful as she was.  Following that night, however, it became so simple.  I was in the best place in my life, in the best city, with amazing people.  I could do nothing but smile as I tried, hopelessly, to fall asleep finally realizing how lucky I was.