The Invitation

It was completely unexpected.

One day, a letter came in the mail addressed to one Robyn and Suzie Smith, a sweet middle-aged couple who lived in the suburbs of Bellville, Arkansas.

Inside was an invitation.

The invitation read: "Please join us on March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in Bellville Theater for a lovely night you will never forget."

Mysterious. But being curious beings, Robyn and Suzie decided to accept this offer.

And so the night came.

There was nothing in the invitation about what to wear, so the couple decided to dress in some of their finest clothes, just in case.

They arrived at the theater, found a parking spot, and entered through a beautifully ornate front door. They were a few minutes early.

"I don't remember the door looking like this before," said Robyn. Suzie agreed.

It was a sign of things to come.

They entered the theater, and much to their surprise, it was completely empty.

Apparently.

What they couldn't see, at least at first, was that the hall was filled with angels. Ten thousand angels.

"Well," Robyn said, still curious, "Let's have a seat down front and see what happens." Suzie agreed.

After a few minutes, Suzie started to feel a bit warm. "Are you getting hot?" she asked her partner. Robyn shook his head no.

When Suzie went to take off her evening jacket, she thought she noticed something behind her, out of the corner of her eye. Maybe it was just a flash of light, she thought to herself. Indeed, it was.

Little did the couple know, but the angels were quite happy that evening, and their joy was heating up the room.

Eventually, even Robyn noticed. "It's a bit warm in here." He removed his jacket as well.

It was now 7:30 on the dot. But nothing was happening, at least to mortal eyes.

Spontaneously, Robyn turned to Suzie and said, "I love you. I love you so much. I just want you to know that."

Suzie felt the same. "I love you, too, with all my heart."

They said nothing more for the next 30 minutes. They simply sat in a bath of love, quietly soaking it all in.

Suddenly, Suzie said, "This might sound crazy, but do you see angels?"

"No."

"Don't look with your eyes. Look with your heart."

"I don't know how to do that."

"Feel it."

A few minutes passed. "Ah yes, I do feel something. Warmth."

"That's them. I'm sure of it."

"Yes, I believe you."

The pair sat there for a short while, in silence, in total enjoyment.

Eventually, they got up to leave.

Before walking out the beautiful door, they turned and looked back.

Now, the curtains were open.

The show was just beginning. What they had experienced was, almost literally, just a warm-up act.

They returned to their seats.

No one was on stage, at least visibly, but Suzie imagined (quite perceptively) that a beautiful angelic conductor was standing there waving her baton, conducting a giant orchestra in loving unison.

"Nothing is happening, there's no show, but strangely, this is the best night ever," Robyn said, matter of factly. Suzie agreed. They were holding hands.

At 9:30 sharp, the curtains closed, and Robyn and Suzie went home.

Just moments after entering their own front door, tragedy struck. Robyn collapsed. He was having a massive heart attack. He managed to say only a few words before he died. "I love you. So much."

Suzie was in shock. Sad beyond belief, she cried her heart out. For several minutes before the ambulance arrived, she sat with her beloved, holding his hand.

And then she knew.

Tonight's invitation was the same one she had received—and gladly accepted—every day with Robyn during their 29 years together. It was a final chance to share their love and affection, an occasion so treasured that thousands of angelic beings joyfully came from across the realms to take part.

As it turns out, the angels were the ones basking in love, in the love of Robyn and Suzie. The devoted couple was the main act.

Ahhhh, though Suzie.

She felt the love again, Robyn's love.

From that day forward, it never left her. It was a standing invitation, and all she had to do was accept it. Which she did.

Every March 22, without fail until her own passing, she visited the theater again. It was always open, just for her.

Ten thousand angels joined her.

The angels, you see, know love when they feel it.

As did Suzie.

Though nothing seemed to happen, it was quite a show.

A lovely and loving time was had by all.

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