Macarons and Traffic Lights

"Tell me a story of happiness"

"It was one of those tiring-life-zoned-out days. Despite date night, shopping and a green tea latte, meh was probably the word to describe how I felt. He was really concerned. More than that, he felt bad for dragging me along. I don't think it helped that in the midst of buying him a macaron, I actually got it for free. That itself gave me a sparkle in my eyes, something he didn't see the entire night. The free macaron is flattering really, and that gave some moment of euphoria"

"Oh, so happiness is that euphoric feeling?"

"Yes. 

And no. That fades, and fades very quickly. When it fades into the background, what remains is a tiredness of a high. That's a happy feeling. But joy? Joy is when after that euphorically tiring episode, you sit in the car, see the face of the person you love illuminated by the traffic lights, leaning into his shoulder and feeling like there's no where else in the world you can feel this sort of safety, and love. That is something no free macaron can ever leave and sustain"

"Does he know?"

"I hope he realises, and he knows that while he may not be happiness every day, he is joy, and that remains long after happiness fleets."