My sister spent a year studying in America. When I visited her there, I met Ben at a party. A handsome, tall, muscular swimmer with blond curls.

We didn't leave each other's side and when the party was over, we climbed through a pool window for a night swim. We ended up in his dorm room "The Cape of Love. We talked the night away and drowned in each other's eyes.

I hoped the night would never end.

After 48 hours of day and night together on campus, we said goodbye and exchanged email addresses.

Years passed, studies were completed, but we kept in touch. And then came the redeeming email that he wanted to visit me in Amsterdam.

Blind panic. I would see him again.

It is now 11 years later and the day has arrived. 

When I wait for him, I feel my legs tremble in the reception hall of Schiphol Airport. I'm terrified that I won't be able to stand on them anymore and will sink through them, like two snapped satchel sticks.

He turns out to be just as nervous as I am. The moment he sees me, his head turns fire-red.

We give each other an embrace. Unaccustomed.

A cab drives us to my house in Amsterdam; a ramshackle little room on the third floor at the back of the canals. The building dates from 1850 and squeaks and creaks with every sigh. The open space of 25 square meters is filled with a small kitchenette, a bed and a couch.

Only the bathroom is enclosed. Well, closed... the door can't be closed but through the curtain of the shower you just can't see each other.

Once inside, Ben asks where the bathroom is.

Excuse me? I hope he is not now ...

I point to the spot of the floppy curtain. I try to give him some privacy, but after three steps back I run into a wall.

When he's finished, I hear a voice around the corner. "Um... Anna, where is the toilet paper?"

"Toilet paper, you say? Right!"

Fuck, shit, forgot to buy it.

I look around my kitchenette and see a stack of coffee filters.

There's nothing else to do.

I wriggle through the door and smell the bathroom and hand him the brown sandpaper.

There was no romance left.

Don't leave me hanging...

I'm not the only one with embarrassing stories, right?
Will you share yours with me? And may we share them on our Instagram (anonymously, no worries). The 5 cutest entries, will receive the "Moments of Shame" as a gift. 

Winners will be notified by April 30.