I want kids, at least two, but more if we think we can handle it.
Before we get married and have a family, I want time with just you. I want to watch you grow in your career. I want vacations together, travel to new places, but also to build our own cottage on the lake so we can escape up there and fulfill fantasies and just have time and space to love each other. And we’ll invite our friends too, but half of them already have cottages in Muskoka, so it won’t be hard to find privacy.
It’s not just the big moments I’m looking forward to.
It’s not just all the firsts, although I’ve loved having so many of those with you.
It’s the little things, too.
I want to make all our favorite meals together.
I want to go on adventures.
I want to take care of you when you’re sick.
I want to grow old with you.
I want sunsets on porch swings and sleepovers with our grandkids.
I want a life with you.
I want to love you every single day for the rest of my life.
Always yours,
Phillip
Istick the photo my sister took when we were playingthe floor is lavaon the page beside the letter, then tuck thejournal into my breast pocket, grab the flowers from the passenger seat, and head into the theater.
My teammates, their wives and girlfriends, and Tally’s Tilton friends are all in the bar, enjoying a pre-showcase cocktail.
“There you are!” Rix flits over and throws her arms around me and murmurs, “I was getting worried.” She pulls back and takes in the flowers. “Oh, those are stunning.”
“They’re all her favorites.”
“She’ll love them, and the journal.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
She smiles up at me. “I’m really proud of you. I hope you know that.”
“Thanks, sis. That means a lot.” I turn to Fee, Cammie, and Enid. “How’s she doing?”
“Excited,” Cammie says.
“A little nervous, but her dress rehearsal went well yesterday, so she was feeling good about things this afternoon,” Fee adds.
“We had to take her dropjes away, so she wasn’t retaining two pounds of fluid from all the salt.” Enid makes a face. “But you probably didn’t need to know that.”
“She wake up with lines on her face?” I ask.
“Like two days ago. Hence the confiscating.” Enid opens her clutch and shows me the evidence. “I promised I’d have them for her after the performance.”
“I have a bunch waiting at my place for her, too.”
Enid grins. “Of course you do.”
They give us the fifteen-minute warning over the PA and we file into the theater and claim our seats. I secured us tickets in the first two rows, so we have an unobstructed view. Tally’s parents and brother and sister are already seated when we arrive.
