“That’s what she said,” I hear Jasper murmur behind me but ignore him as I take in the Helsinki Cathedral in front of us. It’s like a beacon in the darkening sky, with bright spotlights illuminating it.
The Senate Square, where the cathedral stands, is surrounded by centuries-old buildings, providing a stark contrast to the modern cityscape around it. As we walk closer, I think about how magnificent the cathedral itself is. The details etched into each pillar and the nearly pristine, almost white surface make it stand out. The lights and the large, over 50-foot-tall Christmas tree standing in front of the building only add to its charm.
There’s a group of around twenty Japanese tourists, clad in brightly colored winter jackets, taking pictures and chatting excitedly in their language in front of the steps leading to the church. Their excitement is contagious, and I smile at their enthusiasm as I share their awe at seeing these places for the first time.
One of them spots me taking photos and asks if we would like for them to take a picture of us.
“We would love that,” I tell the young man who has a camera hanging around his neck.
He nods eagerly and takes my phone, positioning us in front of the cathedral. I wrap my arm around Jasper’s, loving the feel of him right next to me. A content smile spreads on my face, thinking how this will be another memory from the trip that isn’t anything I expected—but better.
After taking a few photos, we thank the tourists and have a quick look at the pictures. I feel Jasper's grip tighten on my arm as we gaze at the screen on my phone.
He breaks the silence first. "You know, I never thought I'd meet someone like you at JFK."
"What do you mean?"
Jasper's eyes flicker with an intensity that causes my heart to race. "I mean, you're unlike anyone I've ever met—in the best way possible." His voice drops to a whisper. "You also make me want to do all these R-rated things right here in broad daylight."
I feel my cheeks flush as his words sink in. I have never dated anyone so bold. "You're so bad, Jas," I tease.
"But you enjoy it. Admit it."
"Maybe I do," I admit breathlessly and start heading toward the cathedral, Jasper following behind me. I look over my shoulder at him. “Can we go inside?”
“I don’t know if it’s still open to the public, but we can always try,” Jasper says huskily, his voice still lower after the moment we just had.
Taking the steps leading up to the cathedral, a sense of awe washes over me. “Can you imagine how long it must have taken to build this?”
“The construction actually took twenty-two years until the church was consecrated in 1852.”
“Of course you would know that,” I chuckle and keep moving.
Jasper shrugs, chuckling. “Google is my friend.”
Getting to the top of the stairs where the entrance is, there are other people admiring the view that opens from the cathedral. Some are walking in and out of the building, too.
“Jasper, it’s open!”
“So it seems. Shall we go inside?”
I nod and push open the heavy wooden door. A wave of warm air washes over us, and the light scent of candles fills my nostrils. The interior of the cathedral is just as breathtaking as the outside. The high ceiling makes the space look bigger than expected, and the most beautiful chandelier I have ever seen is in the middle of the church.
“This was definitely worth climbing those steps in the cold,” I say in awe, my round eyes glancing around the church. “It’s so impressive.”
“My parents got married here the summer after I was born,” Jasper shares as our eyes meet.
“I love that! It’s such a special place.”
“There are many photos where they stand right there,” he says, pointing to the altar.
I imagine his parents right there, his young mother’s wedding dress flowing behind her while his pappa looks at her with the same lovestruck expression I witnessed during Christmas dinner.
We sit down in a pew, taking a few minutes to soak it all in—low murmurs of the other visitors, the warmth that fills the space, and all the other little details. I can hear Jasper’s name whispered when a group of teenagers walk past us. It’s sometimes weird to be in the company of someone who gets recognized everywhere we go in Helsinki.
After a moment of silence, I walk to where the candles are and reach for an unlit one, holding it against the nearest flame. As the wick lights up, I find a spot for it and press the candle into the base, saying a little prayer for my loved ones who are no longer with us.
Jasper comes to stand beside me as I get lost in my thoughts of my grandparents. He wraps his arm around my middle and kisses my hair.
