73 Memories

The Twenty-Fourth Memory

Two months later, you and I were sitting outside my house among the tulips, marigolds, and all the other flowers that had bloomed with spring. The sun was starting to set, and the way the light fell on your face made me wonder if I was in a movie. You looked over at me, and I watched your face change from a small smile to a bigger one.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" You asked me, and I couldn't help the heat that swept my cheeks.

"You're kind of gorgeous, yourself," I muttered, and you laughed, but it sounded... nervous.

"Can you listen to me, for a second?"

I turned to face you a little better, and you adjusted your position, too. "I'll listen to you whenever you want me to," I answered honestly.

You nodded and picked one of the tulips from the ground, twirling it around in your hands before you spoke. "I've known you for about a year. And in that time, I've learned a lot about you. You have a bad past, you love reading super cheesy romance novels, G- Rated movies are your favorite, High School Musical being the first. You like the color green, but your room is white, and you don't own anything that's even close to that color. You've expressed an interest in music, one that seems unique but you and I both love it nonetheless." You paused and I waited for you to go on. "You aren't an average girl, and that's the absolute best thing about you. You don't care what anyone thinks about you, and you'll use every ounce of attitude that you have just because you feel like it. I've learned you are horrible at grand gestures, and we've both agreed to leave me to them for a great reason. Which is why I'm doing this. This in its own is a small gesture, but I'll do my best to make it as big as possible. I could go on and on, telling you everything I love about you. Or," You paused, sticking the tulip in my hand. "Or I could stop stalling and tell you that I love you, and that I plan to spend the rest of my life with you. Age has nothing to do with the heart, now does it? Age is a number, and so, given that, I would like to give you this here ring." You smiled and pulled it out of your pocket. It was perfect. It was dainty, the best kind of jewelry. You held the ring in front of you and towards me. "I'm not ready for marriage. But I'm ready to promise it to you."

I wiped the single tear that had made its way down my face before laughing and looking up at you. "Yes. I would love to marry you someday."

You smiled as I stuck my hand out towards you, letting you slip the small diamond ring onto my right hand. "It looks beautiful on you."

"How much did it cost?" I whispered, and you looked up and into my eyes.

"My mother told me to give it to the girl I'd spend forever with. It was my great grandma's."

"Oh my God, it's perfect in every way possible."

I think you thought I was talking about the ring, but I was describing the moment.