A guitar plays, and when the voice of a male singer starts to sing, Connor holds out his hand to me, requesting I come closer. (Listen while you read So Far Gone by Thousand FoodKrutch)
He dances me around the yard to the beat. I can tell it’s more of a rock song, and I’m trying to pay attention to the lyrics. When the beat slightly picks up, I hear him singing about being gone in you and a tear slips through myeyes.
I can’t believe he’s surprised me like this. It’s perfect. It’s so romantic and this is officially my favorite song I’ve ever heard, even though I’ve only listened to the firsthalf.
I lay my head on his chest, loving the feeling of him holding me. When the song ends, he steps back, and without skipping a beat, drops down on one knee, holding my hand in his and staring up into myeyes.
I cover my mouth in surprise, unable to stop tears fromfalling.
“Mackenzie, you’ve played at my house for what feels like my entire life. I always knew there was a certain comfort with you, but it wasn’t until I saw you sitting at the bar that night in San Francisco that I knew you were something special. You are more than my sister’s best friend. You’ve always meant so much to her and now you mean something to me too. Getting to know you better over these past months have been the best moments of my life. You push me to be better and live life to the fullest. I want you by my side for as long as we have. Mackenzie Thomas, will you marryme?”
“Yes,” I scream throughtears.
He stands and sweeps me into hisarms.
To my surprise, clapping erupts around me as people come out of hiding. Everyone is here, my parents, my grandparents, my friends from high school, and my roommates from San Francisco. I’m shocked until I turn to see a pastor standing in thebackground.
I look at Connor when he says. “I don’t want to waste any time. If it’s okay with you, we can do this tonight, with everyone here. Tracy and your mom picked out a dress. We can wait, we can plan the whole shebang if you want but this just felt right. What do yousay?”
He gives me the million-dollar smile he knows I’m a sucker for and just like any other time, I’m putty in his hands. I press my lips to his before turning to Tracy, giving her the biggest hug as she and my mom run with me to get ready for mywedding.
“How did all of this happen?” I ask them when we’re in herroom.
“Sweetie,” Mom says, tears filling her eyes. “He’s such an amazing man, and he loves you so much.” Her hands cup myhead.
“I can’t believe this is really happening. He’s been my everything for solong.”
Tracy sits next to me, holding my hand in hers. “My brother couldn’t have chosen a better person to be his wife. I’m excited I’ll actually be able to call my best friend my sister-in-law. Nowlook.”
She jumps up excitedly, turning to her closet, where she pulls out a garment bag. Inside is a white, strapless dress covered with lace and beads. It’s beyond perfect. It’s more than I ever hopedfor.
“I love it,” I sayshakily.
Tracy and Mom both smile their response as Tracy unzips the dress and helps me put it on. Mom pulls my hair half up while Tracy tries to apply makeup on my face, which is damp from happytears.
Within minutes I’m standing in front of the mirror in shock at the woman staring back at me. This moment, this dress, everything is unbelievablyperfect.
When they’re finished, Mom says, “My baby. I’m just so proud ofyou.”
I hug her tightly, and Tracy opens the door. “Are you ready to become Mrs.Hayden?”
I laugh out loud. Hearing it that way put things in perspective. I used to call her mom that when we first met and now that will be myname.
She leads me out to the backyard, where they’ve changed things around. There are now chairs in rows on either side of anaisle.
My dad greets me at the back door, and I sniff back tears. “Is this really my baby girl?” He kisses my forehead, then holds my arm, ready to walk his little girl down theaisle.
I remember hearing in a movie once that when everyone is looking at the bride, it’s the perfect time to look towards the groom. Now I completely understandwhy.
The look he gives me is priceless. The way his eyes light up, and his chest rises in surprise, gives me the warmest feeling I’ve everhad.
I can clearly see how much he loves me and with every step I take toward him, his smile gets bigger. I feel like pinching myself to make sure all of this isreal.
When the pastor asks, “Who gives this woman to this man in holy matrimony?” everything becomes clear, and my heart sings withjoy.
I’m really going to marry my childhood crush, my love, myeverything.
My father replies, “Her mother and Ido.”
