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I was working as a teaching assistant for William Grey, Ph.D, a sport psychologist, at the University of Florida. My small office is adjacent to his across the street from the football stadium. There is absolutely no parking available close to my office. So I park my car in a commuter lot off campus and ride the bus in to work every day.
The office closes at three-thirty and, if the weather is nice, I usually go enjoy the afternoon sun and wait at the bus stop for the 4 PM bus.
Oh my gosh. There he was, slowly coming down the street towards me. Only now he was on crutches instead of in a wheel chair. I hadn't seen him in over two weeks and had some sense of loss even though I didn't even know his name.
He is a young Marine. When I first saw him both legs were covered in heavy bandages. Now only the right leg was bandaged. I could see that he was having a difficult time navigating the sloping sidewalk. When he managed to get to the bus bench, I smiled up at him. Scooting over I nodded to him offering the seat next to me.
It was but a few minutes later when the bus arrived. I helped him to his feet as the bus driver lowered the wheelchair lift to make it easier for him to board with his crutches. The bus wasn't too crowded with students and we found seats toward the front.
At the next stop, I sighed as a guy I went out with once, got on.
Brian McDonnell was a jerk and a bully. He didn't take it kindly when I refused to go out with him again. He was making my life miserable when I spoke to my family about him one night at supper. When I told them that he had grabbed me in the hallway at school, my older brother, Patrick, said he would take care of things.
Actually, Patrick is not really my brother. He's my cousin. My dad's sister and her husband were killed in an accident when I was four and Patrick came to live with us. Patrick was five and my real older brother, Shawn, was six at the time.
Shawn said he would make sure that none of Brian's friends would interfere when Patrick spoke with him. I don't know any of the details of what happened, but Brian stopped bothering me. In fact, every time he saw me he turned and walked the other way.
Now here he was striding toward me with a big smirk on his face. Plopping down in the seat across the aisle he started in about wanting to have a 'good time' with me.
I told him I wasn't interested and I was perfectly happy with my boyfriend. When he persisted I reminded him of what happened a few years ago.
"Well, so what," he replied. Patrick ain't around, so I heard. Out of the country ain't he?"
"That's true. But Shawn isn't. Now leave me and my boyfriend alone."
That and the healthy poke from the end of a crutch pushing into his chest from my seat companion shut him up for the moment.
"Come on, honey, this is our stop," I said getting up and assisting my seat mate to his feet.
As we left the bus we heard Brian yell, "this ain't over yet, asshole."
"Well, that was interesting," he said once we alighted from the bus. "Since I'm your boyfriend, shouldn't I know a few things about you?"
"Like what," I asked?
"Your name for starters and when did I become your boyfriend?"
"Fair enough. My name is Mary Kathryn Murphy. Almost everyone calls me Murphy or Murph. My brothers and closest friends call me MK. Only my mom and dad call me Mary Kathryn. You became my 'boyfriend' about five minutes ago. I'm sorry if that bothers you."
"Hey. I kinda like the idea of having a 'girlfriend'. Especially one as pretty as you and I kinda like the name, Mary Kathryn."
"Oh. Flattery will get you everywhere. By the way what's your name?"
"Ok. Fair enough. I'm Frederick Mann. It was shortened from Mannheim by my grandfather when he came to this country after World War II. But I go by Rick to friends and foe alike."
"You wait on this bench, under the shade trees, while I go get my car and I'll take you home since I kinda forced you off the bus," I told him. "I'll only be a moment."
When I retrieved my car and drove to where Rick was waiting I realized he would never be able to sit the front seat of my Mustang with his leg all bandaged up. After parking the car I said to him, "let's go to that restaurant across the street and wait while I make some alternate arrangements for getting you home."
After being seated and ordering a couple of drinks, I searched my purse for my cell phone. Finding it, I hit speed dial for my dad. After explaining the situation I asked him if he could help me out.
"No problem, sweetie. Where are you?"
I answered him and he continued. "Sit tight, I'll have Henry run over with something for you to use."
"Thanks, daddy." I replied. "I owe you one."
"Oh no, Mary Kathryn. You owe me a lot more than one," he said, laughing, as he ended the call.
Looking at his watch Rick said. "As long as we're here why don't we have some dinner? My treat . . . 'girlfriend'."
We had just finished ordering when Henry walked up to me with a set of keys. "Blue Lincoln Navigator. Parked out front," he said to me with a grin on his face. "Gonna introduce your boyfriend to me?"
After the introductions I handed over the keys to my Mustang and thanked him for helping me out.
Turning back to Rick, I said, "you know he is going to report every last detail about you back to my dad."
"Is that a bad thing," he asked? "And what's this thing with the car swap?"
I explained to him that my dad owned the Ford-Lincoln dealership in town. "It's the largest one in North Central Florida," I proudly replied.
I gave him a short history of my family and continued telling him about myself during dinner. We sat there enjoying each other's company for the next two hours before I took him to his home.
When I pulled into his driveway all I could say was, "Wow! What a nice house. You know, I only live a couple of miles from here."
"Would you like to come in for some coffee?"
Once inside he said to me. "While I start the coffee call your folks and let them know where you are so they won't worry."
As we sat over our coffee I tried to find out more about him. He was very skilled in turning the conservation back around to me.
I thought to myself, here's a guy who is more interested in me than about listening to himself. What a change from the other guys I ever dated.
I did manage to find out that he had inherited the house from his parents after their death in a traffic accident five years ago. They were returning from the ceremony celebrating his promotion from second to first lieutenant when their car was struck by an out of control, fully loaded semi-truck.
When he started to choke up talking about them, I reached across the table and grabbed his hand. Squeezing it, I said, "I'm so sorry. You needn't go on if it's painful dredging up the memories."
"No. I actually feel better about it when I have someone to talk about it with."
When he finished giving me the details we just sat there for several minutes without saying another word. Then he turned the conservation back around to me.
Around ten o'clock we heard a distant rumble of thunder and he said, "you better get along home before this storms breaks."
As we walked out to my car the first few drops of rain began falling. Before closing my door he said with a smile, "be careful. It looks like it's going to be a bad one. I wouldn't want anything to happen to my . . . ahh . . . my 'girlfriend' especially on the first day I've met her."
Just as I pulled out of the driveway there was a flash of lightening and a loud clap of thunder. The rain came down in buckets making it difficult to see even with the wipers going full blast. A five minute trip turned into a fifteen minute one.
Standing in the rain, Rick watched her car until the taillights disappeared before going inside. Stripping off his wet clothes he toweled off and checked to see if the bandage on his leg was dry. Thankfully, it was. Putting on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts he went back to the phone Mary Kathryn had used and hit the redial button.
A woman answered and he said, "Hello, Mrs. Murphy. I'm Rick, Rick Mann. Mary Kathryn left just before this storm hit. Would you ask her to call me so I know she got home safely?"
She replied, "certainly. What's your number?"
Before he could reply she said, "wait a moment I think I hear her coming in right now."
Chapter Two
Walking into the kitchen from the garage I saw mom on the phone. When she saw me she said, "it's that young man, Rick. He's worried about you driving in this storm. Here take the phone and talk to him."
After assuring him that I was ok we spent the next half hour talking to each other. Ok, I admit it. I did most of the talking while he listened. Finally, I thought to ask him how he got to campus every day. He told me he took a taxicab or a neighbor would drop him at a bus stop on his way to work.
"Well, 'boyfriend' of mine, what time should I pick you up tomorrow morning? Can't have you taking cabs or depending on neighbors."
So at seven-thirty Thursday morning I arrived at his home, parked and got out.
After helping him get in the front seat I explained to him I would drop him at Van Fleet Hall, the ROTC Headquarters, and then drive to the commuter lot and take the bus back to campus.
"That won't be necessary," he said, handing me a campus parking permit. "Put this in the lower left hand corner of the windshield. It allows you to park in the faculty lot next to Van Fleet. It's just one of the perks for being an instructor in the ROTC program."
When I drove into the faculty lot by Van Fleet Hall, Rick directed me to a parking spot. The sign read, 'Reserved - Captain Frederick Mann, USMC'. The Health and Human Performance building, where I worked, was a short half block walk away.
"I am finished at three-thirty today. What time do you want to leave this afternoon?" I asked, while helping him from the front seat.
"Three-thirty works just fine for me," he replied, giving me a quick kiss before heading inside.
Wow! I didn't see that coming.
Friday afternoon while driving Rick home I told him that my mom would love for him to come over for Sunday dinner after church.
"Is this going to be the 'Inquisition'?" he asked with a smile on his face.
"You have nothing to worry about," I replied. "Mom stopped using the thumb screws last year."
"Ok. I'll be there on two conditions. First, will you go to the football game with me tomorrow? I have tickets. And then dinner afterwards? Second, will you allow me to accompany you to church Sunday morning?"
"Oh. Tough decisions to make. I have to think about it for awhile. Ok. Thought about it long enough. Yes and yes!"
Driving to the football game the next day I remarked that parking would be a hassle.
"I'll try to get as close to the stadium as I can to drop you off so you won't have too far to walk," I told Rick.
"Not to worry," he replied.
As we approached the road in front of the stadium he told me to turn into it. Of course, the road was blocked with barriers with a police officer standing there.
When he walked over to the car to tell us, in all likelihood, that we could not enter Rick handed me an envelope and told me to to give it to him. The officer took the envelope from me and read the note inside it. Handing it back, he gestured to two other men to move the barricade.
"Drive ahead and turn at the first entrance on the right. Another officer will direct you to your parking space," he instructed.
As we pulled forward the police officer said something into his radio. "He's here . . . blue Lincoln Navigator . . . pretty red-hair girl driving. I'll notify them upstairs of his arrival."
As I pulled into the parking lot another police officer directed me to an empty space right in front of the stadium entrance. As I helped Rick from the car, a golf cart pulled up with a young woman driving.
"Hi. I'm Susan Thompson and I'll be assisting you to your seats."
We climbed in and off we went across the street to the stadium. She brought the golf cart to a stop in front of an elevator. We got in and she produced a key that allowed her to select a button labeled 'BHG Box'.
The entire series of events had left me speechless. "Rick, you are so full of surprises. I thought you told me you had bought two tickets to the game."
He replied, "I think I what I said was 'I had' two tickets. They were given to me by a close friend of my dad. The stadium is named after him."
"The Swamp?" I asked, not quite comprehending what was going on.
"No silly, Ben Hill Griffin. He and my dad grew up together. When mom and dad were killed he told me he would be there for me if I ever needed him."
All I could say was, "WOW!!!"
The game was great. Our team, the Gators, won by a score of 41 to 6. Afterward, we went to dinner at a really nice restaurant to celebrate the victory.
The following morning we attended the ten o'clock service at church and then went to my home for the promised Sunday afternoon lunch and 'interrogation'.
Actually, it wasn't as traumatic as Rick had expected. In addition to mom and dad, my older brother, Shawn and his wife, Barbara, were present as well.
After lunch, the three guys adjourned into dad's study for a drink and to watch some Sunday afternoon football on TV. Mom, Barbara and I went into the kitchen to clean up.
As soon as the guys were out of the dining room they started in on me.
"My God, he's adorable. Where ever did you find him," Barbara asked? "Come on, we want all the juicy details."
I proceeded to tell them 'all the juicy details' as Barbara had so boldly asked for.
Mom just listened for a while and then asked, "what happened to his leg?"
"I really don't know," I answered. "Every time I bring it up, he just says it happened in Afghanistan and changes the subject. I do know he goes over to the VA hospital on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to have the dressing changed. I'm not going to pry. If he wants to tell me, he will. If he doesn't want to tell me it's not going to affect how I feel toward him."
"And how do you feel about him," mom asked?
"I like him, I like him a lot. And I think that 'like' might be fast turning into love."
On the ride back to Rick's house that afternoon he told me how much he liked and respected my dad.
"For a guy that has made himself such a success he's really down to earth about it. Your brother Shawn is the same. I think he and I could become real good friends."
Hearing that thrilled me no end. He liked my family.
Later Sunday evening, after I returned home, daddy said to me. "Mary Kathryn come into the living room and sit down with your mom and me." Then he went on to tell me how much he was impressed with Rick, all the while mom was nodding her head in agreement.
"He's a fine young man. Your brother and I really, really like him. I hope we see a lot more of him."
"I hope so, too, daddy. I hope so, too."
Chapter Three
Monday morning, on the drive to campus, I told Rick how much I enjoyed the entire weekend. When we arrived on campus he asked me if I would pick him up around four that afternoon from the VA hospital. He told me that one of the other officers at the ROTC unit would be giving him a ride over for his 9 AM appointment.
"Sure see you then. Is everything all right with your leg," I asked?
"I'm not sure. They want to do some tests this morning. I tell you more when I see you this afternoon. Please don't worry about me," he said, giving me another quick kiss good-bye.
Naturally, when he said that all kinds of alarm bells started going off in my head. I spent the rest of the day worrying. Around three o'clock my cell phone rang. Caller ID identified Rick as the caller.
"Are you alright? Is everything ok?" I asked him.
I heard him sigh deeply and then he told me, "please come to the VA right now and use the valet parking. I'll meet you in the lobby."
I quickly closed the office and drove to the hospital all the while imagining the worst. Turning the car over to the valet, I ran into the lobby and saw Rick sitting in a wheelchair. He saw me, smiled and beckon me over.
When he saw the frantic look on my face and the tears streaming down my cheeks he grabbed me and pulled me onto his lap.
"Don't cry. It's not that bad. The doctor wants to go over the results of the tests they did today and I wanted you with me to hear what he has to say, just in case."
With that an orderly came over and told us the doctor was ready to see him. I got up from Rick's lap and the orderly wheeled him away, with me following.
When we were shown into the doctor's office he got up and came around the desk, smiled and said to Rick. "I have some good news and some not so good news. What would you like to hear first?"
"Let's start with the not so good news first," Rick replied.
"Ok," he answered. "You need more surgery. I scheduled it for the day after tomorrow."
"Now for the good news. It will be the last surgery you'll need and it can be done on an out-patient basis. Once you recover and go through physical therapy you should regain near one hundred percent use of your leg."
After hearing that news both of us heaved a big sigh of relief. The doctor went on to say that Rick needed to be at the hospital at 5 AM Wednesday morning. No solid food after five o'clock Tuesday evening and then only clear fluids until 10 PM.
He told us that the procedure should be completed before noon and Rick could expect to go home around two in the afternoon.
"You'll need someone to stay with you for the first twenty-four hours after the surgery just for precautionary reasons," he explained. "Here's a list of home health care providers. Select one and make arrangements."
I took the list and said to Rick, "I'll handle this for you."
At four-fifteen Wednesday morning I picked Rick up for the ride to the hospital.
We arrived and I dropped him off at the entrance to the surgical unit. After parking my car I walked back and found him still waiting in the reception area.
"What are you doing back here," he asked?
"You think I was going to leave you here all alone? Rick, I know we have teased each other about this 'boyfriend, girlfriend' thing. But I think it's time for the teasing to stop. You are more than just my 'boyfriend'. I'm staying with you until they kick me out and then I'll be waiting until the surgery is finished.
Just then a nurse appeared with a wheelchair for him. As she pushed him to the prep room I followed behind with his crutches. The anesthetist allowed me to stay for a few moments as he inserted the I.V.
Giving Rick a quick kiss and hug I said, "I'll see you in Recovery before you know it, honey." Then I left to wait until his surgery was completed.
A little after ten o'clock the surgeon came out to the waiting room. I stood as he approached, he smiled at me and said, "everything went just fine. No complications whatsoever. Captain Mann is being moved into a Recovery room and you can go back to wait with him as regains consciousness."
Gathering my things I followed him back to Recovery. I sat in a chair right next to Rick's bed, holding his hand, as he gradually came out from under the anesthesia.
It was well after one in the afternoon before we were finally able to leave the hospital with instructions to return on Friday at 2 PM to see the doctor once more.
I ran ahead and retrieved my car and two nurses helped me get Rick into the back seat so he could stretch his leg out. We put a wheel chair into the back of the SUV and off we went.
I knew I would need help in getting him out of the back seat when we arrived at his home, so I called my brother Shawn. He said he would meet us there and not to worry. When I drove up to Rick's house Shawn was there as well as my dad.
"I told you my family really liked you," I said. "Daddy said he wanted to see a whole lot more of you."
"Yep," dad interjected. "Might as well start right now," he chuckled.
"OK, Shawn let's get him into the house. Mary Kathryn roll that wheelchair over and Shawn and I will lift him into it."
Once we were safely inside dad asked if there was anything else Rick or I needed. After assuring both him and Shawn that there wasn't, dad and Shawn both shook Rick's hand and wished him a speedy recovery.
After they left Rick said, "I thought there was supposed to be someone here to stay with me."
"There is . . . me. I'm staying here with you. Dad and Shawn will come over Friday to help me get you into the car for the trip back to see your doctor.
Friday's meeting with the doctor went well. He told Rick that his leg looked just fine. No sign of infection and he could resume using his crutches. He would be able to start limited physical therapy on Monday and full PT after the stitches were removed in ten days.
Rick asked him how long did he expect the PT to last. The doctor answered, "perhaps as long as six months."
Chapter Four
It was amazing how much progress Rick has made since his surgery. He went from from walking with crutches to walking with a cane in less than six weeks. During this time our relationship continued to grow and become stronger. We resumed our normal morning ride to campus and home again in the afternoon as well as going to church and Sunday dinners with my parents.
When I arrived home the Monday before Thanksgiving, after dropping Rick off at his physical therapy appointment, mom met me at the door.
"Patrick is on his way home," she told me, bubbling over with happiness. "He'll be home Thanksgiving Day. We are going to have a huge party to celebrate."
"Wow! That's great news, mom. Who is coming? If it's just family can I still invite Rick," I asked?
"Everybody coming, family, friends and, of course, you can invite Rick," she exclaimed.
Later when I picked Rick up from PT I told him that Patrick was coming home and about the welcome home party we were going to have Thursday. I had already explained to Rick, sometime ago, about the actual family relationship we shared with Patrick, so he understood my excitement.
"Great! Do you want me to wear my uniform or just a shirt and tie," he asked?
"No need for your uniform. A shirt and tie will be more than appropriate," I replied.
By the time Rick and I arrived back at my house on Thursday there was a huge crowd already there. I saw mom and asked her where was Patrick? She told me he had stopped to pick up Nancy, his girlfriend, and would arrive shortly.
I dragged Rick around, introducing him to everyone as my 'special boyfriend'. That raised a few eyebrows, especially among my closest friends. Rick took it all in stride and was having a good time with it.
Then I saw Patrick, in his dress uniform, come in with Nancy by his side. The first thing he did was hug mom and dad. As he walked around he was greeted by all of my relatives and many of his friends.
I saw him searching the room with his eyes, as soon as he saw me he broke free of his many well wishers and strode toward where I was standing with Rick. He hugged me and twirled me around.
I started to introduce Rick when all of a sudden I saw Patrick snap to attention and salute. I thought to myself, how did Patrick know that Rick was a Marine Captain?
Then I heard Patrick say, "you probably don't remember me, do you sir?"
He went on in a loud voice, "everybody listen up. This man saved my life."
"I had been in Afghanistan for less than a month. My squad was riding in a convoy when we were attacked. My truck was hit hard, exploded and overturned. I thought I was going to die when suddenly someone grabbed the back of my flak jacket and pulled me from the wreckage to safety. I watched this officer go back and pull seven more of my squad to safety."
"I saw him get hit, over and over again, but he didn't stop until all of us were safe. My God, he was horribly wounded. He wouldn't stop until he collapsed. He just wouldn't stop . . . ."
"Mom, dad I didn't tell you about any of this because I knew you were worried enough with my being there."
With that, Patrick walked over to Rick, grabbed him in a bear hug, and said, "I owe you my life, Captain. I owe you . . . ." Then he stepped back and saluted Rick once more before turning to me.
"MK, he's the best, don't ever let go of him."
For a moment all of our relatives and friends were completely silent. Then someone started to clap his hands and then entire crowd joined in clapping and cheering. Mom, dad and Shawn rushed over and threw their arms around Rick thanking him.
I was in the middle and felt myself being crushed by the intensity of their emotions. I refused to let go of him and for the rest of the afternoon and evening evening I grasped his arm tightly.
The day after Thanksgiving, mom, Barbara, Nancy and I went out shopping to take advantage of the 'Black Friday' sales. We arranged to meet with the guys for dinner at 'Ballyhoos', an upscale seafood restaurant, later that evening.
Dad, Patrick and Shawn would ride over together and Rick said one of his fellow ROTC officers would drop him off there on his way home from campus.
It wasn't until much later that Rick told me what happened that night before I arrived.
This is what he told me. Thomas Kincaid had dropped me off at 'Ballyhoos' a little before six. Shawn had text messaged me earlier that the guys would be there about six-fifteen. So I went into the bar to wait. Finding a table, toward the back facing the entrance, I grabbed it so I could watch for their arrival.
I hadn't been sitting there for more than five minutes when I saw that guy from the bus, Brian, something-or-another, walk in with three other individuals. I hoped Brian wouldn't notice me but then he spotted me, my uniform. He turned and said something to his three companions.
Walking over, to me, he started giving me a ration of shit. Saying that he didn't take too kindly to me poking him in the chest with my crutch that afternoon and he was going to get a whole lot of payback.
Then he sneered at me saying, "you're not such a tough guy since 'Murphy' isn't with you, are you? I'm going to beat your ass either outside or right here. What's it going to be?"
As I started to get up from my seat Patrick, Shawn and your dad walked over to where this confrontation was happening.
Shawn spoke first, asking. "Hey, you three, are you with shit-for-brains here? 'Cause if you are, you're ain't like what gonna to happen to you if you start something."
Now when somebody who is six foot six and two hundred and sixty pounds of pure muscle, you are going to be inclined to listen to what he has to say. They immediately stepped back indicating they weren't willing to get involved.
Then Patrick, who is an inch shorter than Shawn and fifteen pounds lighter, grabbed Brian by the front of his shirt and lifted him up on his tip-toes.
Going nose-to-nose with him, he growled, "listen real close you sorry ass piece of garbage. Remember what I told you a few years ago. Well it, also, applies to my sister's boyfriend. If Captain Mann hadn't been so badly injured saving my life I'd let him have at you."
"Hell!! Maybe I ought to let him have at you right now, anyway. Even with a busted up leg he'll probably beat you half-to-death before you can get the first lick in."
"Naw! On second thought he doesn't need to dirty his hands on a piece of crap like you."
"Run along now Brian, but you better hit the men's room first. It appears you have pissed and shit in your pants."
"Oh. One other thing. It would be a good idea for you to relocate to the other coast for health reasons, your health. I understand that LA is a good place for wannabe tough guys. Now get the hell out of our sight."
He turned Brian loose and watched him scurry away.
Then, turning to me, Patrick apologized, "I'm sorry if I interrupted your fun with him, Captain. He and I have had issues ever since he put his hands on MK a few years ago. Too bad he didn't start anything. I would have loved to clean his clock . . . again."
Rick then said to Patrick, "I appreciate what you did, but you need to let me fight my own battles. I feel kind of like a . . . "
My father stepped up, putting his arm around Rick's shoulders, and said to him.
"Son, you don't have to prove anything to us. We all know what kind of man you are."
Just then we four girls came into the restaurant and spotted the guys and I asked, "what's going on?"
"Not a thing, sweetheart, not a thing," Rick responded, giving me a quick kiss.
"Just some male bonding," dad chipped in, winking at Rick and my two brothers.
"Let's go eat," Barbara said. "I am famished."
Chapter Five
On Christmas Eve the entire family gathered at mom and dad's home. Barbara and Nancy were helping mom and me get dinner ready when I noticed that Rick and my dad were missing. I asked Shawn if he saw where dad and Rick had gotten off to. He replied that he saw them go into dad's home office.
Five minutes later they reappeared. Dad had a big smile on his face and Rick looked relieved. Mom picked up on it right away.
"Is there something going on we should know about?" She asked my father.
He grinned and winked at her, replying, "No . . . I don't think so."
After dinner and the dishes had been cleared and safely placed in the dish washer we adjourned to the living room. It was the custom in our home to open gifts on Christmas Eve. We sat around the Christmas Tree and began to open our presents. Rick gave me a beautiful diamond necklace with matching diamond earrings. They were absolutely stunning.
When all the gifts had been distributed dad asked mom to accompany him for a moment. Shawn and his wife, as well as Patrick and Nancy went with them, leaving Rick and me alone sitting in front of the Christmas Tree.
Rick got up from beside me saying, "I think there might be one more gift for you."
Walking over to the tree, he reached into the branches in the back of it and withdrew a small wrapped package.
Handing it to me he said, "this is a special gift for you."
As I began to tear away at the wrapping paper he knelt in front of me and said.
"Mary Kathryn, I have fallen deeply, deeply in love with you. I want you to be in my life forever."
Opening the package I found a diamond engagement ring.
"This ring was made by my great-grandfather for his bride-to-be. She passed it down to her son, my grandfather, for his bride. Then my grandmother gave it to my father for his bride, my mother. Now I am giving it to you with the hope you will marry me."
I began crying so hard that I couldn't speak.
Finally, I managed squeak out, "YES!!!!"
Throwing my arms around him all I could do was sob . . . yes . . . yes . . . yes.
Putting the ring on my finger he said, "if you don't like it I can get you another one."
Grabbing him tightly I said, "Oh my God, it's beautiful, just beautiful. I love it and I love you."
When he slipped it onto my finger it fit perfectly. "How did you know my ring size," I asked?
"I didn't," he responded. "It must be a sign from heaven that we were meant to be man and wife."
At that moment mom and dad reappeared with two bottles of champagne and tray of champagne flutes. My mom was crying just as hard as I was and my dad, Shawn and Patrick had huge grins on their faces. Barbara and Nancy were shouting to show them my ring.
"Congratulations!!!," they all screamed. "This calls for a major celebration."
Finally, after the wine was poured and the toasts were made I turned to my father. Feigning anger, I glared at him. "You knew, you knew what was going to happen tonight. Didn't you?"
He couldn't keep a straight face and, laughing, he told me.
"Rick asked for my permission just before dinner. I told him, he didn't need it. I simply said to him, you have her mother's and my blessing."
"You don't know how hard it was to sit through dinner knowing what was coming. When I told your mother in the kitchen a few moments ago what was going to happen I had to kiss and hug her to keep her from rushing in and spoiling the moment."
We decided the marriage would take place in June and my mother and I began planning with a lot of help from Barbara and Nancy.
Rick had one more surprise for me before the wedding.
In March, he told me he was resigning his commission in the Marines and resurrecting his father's old contracting business. While he was in school, before going into the Marines, he had been involved in a brand new concept, known as, Design/Build. His degrees in architecture and building construction were to be combined, allowing him to be both the architect and the contractor.
His first client was going to be my dad who wanted him to build a brand new facility for his dealership.
Rick broke with tradition and had two 'Best Men', my brothers, Shawn and Patrick. Of course, Barbara was my 'Matron of Honor' and Nancy was my 'Maid of Honor'.
As I walked down the aisle that day, clutching my father's arm, I saw Rick waiting for me at the alter and I thought back to that day at the bus stop. Not only did I find a 'boyfriend', I had found a wonderful loving husband.
