The Life Before My Eyes

Chapter 2

Before I carried out my first plan my parents decided to tell me their story!

Every couple has a story. We’ve all burnished and buffed that moment we first met into the gem it deserves to be. Because without that moment there would be none of the wonder that came next – the love, the home, the children, the family.

Daddy and I met in the fifth grade. We lived one street apart and rode our bikes home from school together. Until, one day, he told me he liked me, and I stopped talking to him. Over the years, we shared classes, passed in the halls at school, knew the same people, but we never spent time together outside of school and certainly never dated. After high school, we went to separate parts of the country and began building our futures. When it was time for our ten-year high school reunion, neither of us planned to go. Our best friends insisted and each played a role in making it happen. At the reunion, I saw Daddy across a crowded room and did not recognize him. I assumed he was there with one of my classmates -- a boyfriend, a husband, maybe. Then I saw his name tag, and could not believe my eyes. We were inseparable that weekend and a spark was ignited. Within one week we were making plans to visit each other. Within a few weeks we were planning our future. Ten weeks later, we were engaged. Ten months later, we were married. Now, nearly fifteen years later, we are more deeply in love than ever. Our love has created two beautiful daughters who give our lives new depth and meaning. Your Daddy shows me every single day that there is nothing more important to him than the two of you and me. He is "romantic" in the traditional sense, but what I love and appreciate most is the mundane, every day things. Like the way he can't wait to teach you something new when you ask a question. Or the way he makes you laugh just by being silly. The way he fills and empties the dishwasher, cooks dinner, picks up after himself, takes out the trash, and so many other things without question, complaint or request. The way he supports my career, my interests, my activities and me with all that he is. The way he still makes me feel physically beautiful despite the passage of time. I hope that you will each find love and friendship as amazing and wonderful as what Daddy and I have. It makes all the difference in the world.-

Second POV;:!

Your daddy and I met all the way back in the fifth grade. He claims that he knew he loved me then but I’m a little skeptical. We “went out” as fifth graders do, holding hands at recess and sitting next to each other at assemblies. Daddy even gave me a necklace that he got from a gumball machine and I cherished that thing. Then one day, your fickle daddy decided he wanted to “go out” with another girl, so I threw the necklace over the school fence because I was so angry. We didn’t really talk much again until our senior year of high school when I decided to give him one more chance. We’ve been together ever since. Even though we went to college in different towns we visited each other often. We used to send each other letters, long letters that talked about love and plans. I loved your father’s letters, they made my week and I still reread them sometimes when I’m feeling sentimental. It was Daddy’s idea to get married, he encouraged us to get a dog when I was still nervous, and he was ready to make you guys before I was. And look how right he was!

My Daddy Pov;;!

Yesterday, I met your mom. Yesterday... a hundred years, they mark the same time. I was a junior in high school and trying out for my first play. I stood in a roomful of people I didn't know, save for one. Being the only kid who wasn't in drama class, I really was the odd man out. So, I did my reading in front of everyone then took my seat. All of a sudden, this raven-haired goddess waltzed into the room. She talked to the director and picked up her script and walked out. She got her part without even reading for it. I was agog. Then, I was terrified as I was cast as her husband in the play. I was so nervous around her that I was incapable of kissing her when the script called for it. I couldn't even make eye contact. Every time she was close my face tingled, my breathing went shallow and I got cottonmouth. I survived the play. But, I was done for. About a year later I finally got the courage and asked her out. We had our first date. From that night on, there's never been a woman I've ever loved more. Don't let anyone tell you 'young love' isn't real. This goes double for me or your mom.--

Your father sat at the table next to mine the night my prom date left me at eight. Instead of watching my ex with his new girlfriend, I watched your dad. He was shy and quiet, and didn't have girlfriends. He played baseball. We danced. He was so tall and to this day, he has the greatest smile I've ever seen. I forgot to be sad. I invited him back to my parents' house with my friends but he got nervous and said no (which he later kicked himself for). The next day at school, and for many days after that, we wouldn't even look at each other. When we finally went on our first date, he brought me flowers. His car broke down, so I drove. We met a car full of retirees following a hot air balloon. We saw The Rock. This is all I remember. This, and his smile. Always. Your father's smile has the ability to light the room. You see it, too, I know you do. Later, we broke up, went to college, and the army, discovered the world and ourselves. When we reunited, years later, his smile is the thing that told me I was home.

We aren't a perfect, couple, because kids, there ain't no such thing. But we work hard to stay in love. We try to practice gratitude. We parent as a team. Don’t even think about trying to play us. We still make-out in the kitchen, sometimes in front of you, and we hope one day you think it’s disgusting. When we all “family hug”, we smile over your heads, and we both feel like we’re home.--

Your daddy and I were two teenagers with stars in our eyes and BIG DREAMS. We wandered around thinking we understood the world and the world couldn’t possibly -- EVER -- understand us. We wanted to see Paris and never get old. Instead, we saw Detroit and got married. And at first, we felt we would miss out on the world’s great mysteries. And yet... having known your blue eyes, all of you, for so many years now; remembering your little bird mouths opening as I held you, each of you, for the first time in my arms; looking back at the high mountains of the mornings, when you crawled into my bed and fell back asleep, your nose touching mine -- I am contented. Even though Daddy and I can’t live together, anymore, even though everything has changed, nothing has changed, really. I love him for giving me you. --

Dear Girl and Boy, At a New Years Eve party many moons ago, I met a tall, skinny kid with a fake I.D. and an O.J. Simpson-esque Ford Bronco. I had too much champagne and told him that he was destined to be my future husband. Thankfully, that didn't scare him away because twelve years later, he is just that. As you know, he's also a wonderful and loving father. I loved your father before you were both born, but you have most certainly caused my love for him -- our love for each other -- to grow. And if you love me, your mother, you will help me convince Daddy that it's time to sell the Bronco. You'll also never acquire a fake I.D. Or drink champagne underage. Maybe I've said too much. Happy Valentine's Day. Love,

I met your mother at my graduation from college. Now, it's best you read my account of the tale because hers is sure to be different. What you need to know is that true, we saw each other early that graduation day, and true, she did talk to me first. But, it was me, who, while sitting with my family eating a celebratory graduation lunch, looked over at her table and saw a beautiful brunette eating ribs. A beautiful brunette who ate ribs was my dream partner and later that night I inquired about the brunette who was eating ribs from the friend she was eating lunch with. Days later we were out on our first date and weeks later we celebrated our first kiss (for which there are vastly varied stories depending on which of us you talk to). Months later we were in love and years later we were married. It was a chance encounter, I think that part of the story both your mom and I would agree on. It was also a moment I'll never forget. I saw your mother from across that room all those years ago and while I can't say I saw your faces or our vacations or our house or the love all four of us have, I did know she was going to be in my life. That person you two have loved every minute of your lives became my special person from across a restaurant, eating ribs.--

What the heck is this: I asked A Speech they replied: A love story!