When We Meet on that Distant Shore

April 10, 1912

The train jostled and bounced on the tracks. But Sarah hardly sat still enough to notice it. She kept looking down at the ring on her finger then out the window at the passing scenery–farms and green hills had recently given way to gray buildings under an overcast sky. Every so often, her gaze landed on her husband–her new husband–and she laughed. They had married only the previous day and she could hardly contain her happiness. She had never before felt as though she had everything she could ever wish but, at that moment, that feeling was close at hand.

The only sign that John had noticed her excitement was the smile on his lips. He sat across from her, reading the paper. One foot rested against his wife's leg. Occasionally, he gave her the slightest of nudges, nearly imperceptible to the two other passengers in their train car. "Would you listen to this," he said, holding up the paper to better see it in the light from the window. "It is not only in size but also in the luxury of her appointments that the Titanic takes first place among the big steamers of the world," he said in a captivating voice. "By the provision of Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap for her first-class passengers the Titanic also leads as offering a higher standard of Toilet Luxury and comfort at sea." He laughed and set the paper down. "Well, thank goodness for that. If you're paying $4,000 for a cabin, you shouldn't settle for less than the highest standard of toilet luxury. First class bottoms are delicate, after all."

"Oh, let me see." Sarah took the paper from him and looked at the advertisement "Hm. No mention of second class." She looked at the paper closer, noting the picture of the ocean liner and the smaller pictures on each corner. "Is that the famous Turkish bath? Do we get to use it?" She had heard a great deal about the famous Turkish baths and had always wanted to try one.

"I'm afraid not. They're first class only. If we're early enough we can try out the gymnasium. And at least we will get to enjoy our own library."

"Are we early enough?"

John pulled out his pocket watch and looked at it a moment before returning it to his pocket. "Doesn't look like it. Oh, that's unfortunate."

"Oh," she replied, folding up the newspaper and handing it back to her husband. "Well, this will still be fun."

Sarah looked back out the window at the passing buildings. Everything was moving so quickly. It was only two weeks ago that she and John were nothing more than correspondents, exchanging letter after letter, reminding each other of the days when they were mere sweethearts before he moved to America to make his fortune. And now here she was, on her way to join him but now as his wife. His wife!

"You know what I'm looking forward to, Mrs. Clarke?" He asked, calling his wife by her married name and breaking her out of her thoughts.

"What is that?" She grinned. Hearing herself referred to as a Mrs. gave her a slight thrill. It had been so long coming that she had nearly given up its possibility entirely. The title felt like a dream.

John gave the other passengers in their car a sideways glance before looking back at his wife. He raised his eyebrows.

She could feel the blush creep over her cheeks. "John," she said, looking at the two other people who were both doing a fantastic job at pretending to be deaf.

"Sarah," he replied. He glanced out the window and suddenly sat up straighter. "We're here."

She turned to the window, her heart racing with excitement. Sure enough, a long low building was pulling near, its black letters announcing that it was the Southampton Ocean Terminal. She couldn't help but feel another thrill at the thought of finally setting foot on the ship that would take her to her new life. On the other side of the terminal sat the Titanic , its funnels towering over the building and its sleek black hull gleaming in the light of day. Sarah had never been on a ship before, and she felt a sense of wonder at the sight of such a magnificent vessel. She had heard so much about the famous ocean liner. Seeing it in person was more impressive than she had ever imagined.