Sitting on the steps of his modest home atop Palatine Hill, Marcus waited for his wife, Julia, to return from the market. Always the dreamer, he fantasized back to the first time he laid eyes upon the love of his life. Marcus chuckled to himself as he realized it was in the very same market that Julia was now shopping in. He recalled feeling utterly helpless and completely possessed by her beauty. Unable to control his jaw from dropping or his eyes from staring, Marcus found his legs to be the only functional part of his body. They seemed to have a mind of their own as they dragged him closer to the magnificent creature, who was occupied browsing a fruit stand. It was obvious she was wealthy, as she wore a crimson collared stola with a maroon palla draped gracefully over one shoulder. Her one exposed arm revealed a collection of silver rings and a golden armband. As Marcus got closer, he noticed the shimmer of red in her almond colored hair, and the specs of gold in her hazel eyes. Although well covered, her olive skin showed from underneath her stola as the breeze blew. Marcus guessed her to be of the equestrian class. From first sight, he knew she was well above him and that he didn’t have a chance. Risking making a fool of himself, Marcus said hello. Roused from his day dream by footsteps on the path he sat by, Marcus smiled to himself and felt proud, as he could now call that beautiful girl his wife.
As Julia shopped, she passed a fruit stand in the market, and was flooded with memories of the first time she saw her dearest Marcus. She recalled the nervous but well muscled boy who approached her that day. He was nearly six feet tall with sandy blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. The toga he wore seamed somewhat dingy, and the shoes that covered his feet were of untanned leather. Obviously beneath her class, and most likely a plebs, there was still something about this boy that made him desirable. There was passion and ambition in his eyes, and yet also a playful joy. Before that moment, Julia did not believe in love at first sight. Realizing what this boy would mean to her, she resolved to give everything up for him. Her wealth and societal position meant nothing if she could not be with him. As Julia picked up an apple, she smiled to herself, forever cherishing that moment.
