“Yep. But this time… we make it official,” he declares as if it makes all the sense in the world.
“Official? What the hell are you talking about?” I attempt to process his words.
Reaching behind the cooler, he grabs something, then scooches onto one knee to get closer to me, with a challenge in his eye as he states, “I’ve loved you since I was a young and dumb teenager and let you go. I’m more in love with you now than I could ever imagine. Faye Julianna Ames, will you put me out of my misery and agree to be my wife?”
“Wha—” I start, but Mark reaches for my hand and cuts me off.
When his eyes lock on mine, I feel his question deep in my soul.
“Will you marry me, Faye?”
Tears prick my eyes, and a state of shock consumes me. I barely notice him flipping the box open or the ring inside. All I can do is nod profusely and throw myself at him.
The moment our lips touch, I kiss him like I’ve never kissed anyone before. His love pours through me, and I truly can’t get enough.
When a car approaches, we break apart, panting.
With a knowing grin, he clarifies, “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, you fool. It’s a yes. I’ll marry you!”
“Whew…” He pretends to wipe sweat from his brow, then pulls me in for a hug. “Let’s put this ring on you and take a selfie so we can send it to my kids.”
I finally notice the ring itself, and I start crying all over again.
Holy shit, this man has a bigger memory capacity than most of the software I develop. I swear, it’s like he knows me better than I know myself.
In awe, I wonder, “How on earth did you take a window-shopping experience from nearly thirty years ago and make it become our reality?”
“Easy, sweetheart.” He squeezes me tight from the side as we focus on the ring. “I pay attention.”
As he slips the ring onto my finger, I can’t stop staring at its utter perfection.
The vintage white-gold band fits perfectly on my finger. There’s a square blue sapphire set in the center that would match my grandmother’s earrings perfectly, with two smaller diamonds flanking each side.
With his arm around my waist, Mark leans in and says, “The color should be a perfect match to go with your grandmother’s earrings. But that’s not the only reason I picked this particular ring, though. This style is perfect for us. Not only is it vintage, in that it will stand the test of time, but, Faye, you need to know… You are my one true love from my past. The one I can’t live without in my present, and the only one I ever want to love in my future.”
My heart can’t contain how happy I am in this moment.
“Ohmigod, Mark,” I gush, cupping his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you more, sweetheart,” Mark whispers.
“Did you know that day I told you about my grandmother’s earrings, I’d wished for a ring just like this from you?”
“I may not have been ready then, but I won’t make that mistake twice. I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever with you, sweetheart.”
Pulling me in for another searing kiss, I let my love for him shine through. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
As another car breaks us apart, Mark grins wildly and suggests, “Now, about that selfie?”
“Wait… Your kids knew you were going to propose?”
“Nope… But this should have the family group chat going off like a firecracker for the foreseeable future. Just wait until you get added.”
Mark:
Just checking in…
