Purpose Will Surface (Compete)

chapter eighteen

~two years in the future~

the guys were touring across the world for their new album, which they called trench. i had decided to tag along, and we had already travelled all across america and were heading to europe. the first date was in amsterdam, a place i had always wanted to visit. i was eager with anticipation throughout the very long plane ride, making tyler switch seats with me in the middle of the flight to give me the window seat so i would stop looking over him every five seconds to see outside. we landed and got our stuff into our hotel room, having time for the rest of the day to explore the town. we arrived fairly early, trying to ignore the jet jag we felt. josh and his recent girlfriend debby decided to go to the anne frank house first while tyler wanted to take me to see the tulip fields. i wasn't complaining, i was drying to see them. we happened to be there while they were in season, which was absolutely thrilling for me. when we arrived at the field, it was absolutely clear of people. i was a little confused, expecting it to be booming with tourists. i try to ignore my curiosity and enjoy the fact that it was empty as we got out of the car and started to walk into the field. tyler grabbed my hand and walked in front of me, as if he was leading me somewhere.

suddenly, we reached a picnic that had been set up in a little clear among the tulips. i looked at tyler in surprise, and he had a big grin on his face. there was a blanket set up with little candles surrounding it, a bunch of little snacks sitting on top of it. tyler led me over to it and we both sat down, me immediately plopping a grape in my mouth. tyler giggled, grabbing one for himself.

"how did i know you'd go right for the grapes?" he asked with his mouth full, now making me giggle. i looked around in awe of my surroundings, mostly in awe of the man in front of me.

"i can't believe you did all of this for me, ty," i said softly, looking at the beautiful tulips surrounding us. he smiled and grabbed my hand, a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

we ate and talked for a while until the sun started to set, a beautiful pink sky above us. suddenly tyler stood up, reaching for my hand for me to join him. i took it and stood, watching as he put a hand in his pocket.

"mel, i know this is the place you've always wanted to visit, so i wanted to make this as special as possible," he started slowly, pulling a little box out of his pocket. my eyes lit up, looking back at his eyes as i couldn't believe what i was seeing.

"ty..." i whispered as he shifted the little box in his hands, the nervous look growing on his face.

"i love you more than anything, mel. you came into my life and my entire world changed. through ups and downs, no matter what happened, you always stuck by my side. it feels like we've known each other forever, the way you just understand me. i know i've said this to you a million times, but you truly did bring light into my life," tyler said while looking into my eyes, suddenly kneeling down onto one knee. my hands flew to my mouth, tears springing to my eyes as a huge grin took over my face. "i can't imagine spending my life with anyone else, mel. i love you so much, will you marry me?"

he popped open the box and a beautiful diamond ring instantly sparkled. tears streamed down my face as i shook my head violently, my grin so big my cheeks were starting to hurt.

"tyler, yes of course i will!" i exclaimed, and he took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. i looked at it briefly before looking back at tyler who was also crying. he had the biggest, brightest smile i had ever seen. i threw my hands around his neck and he picked me up, spinning me around. he put me down and kissed me, my newly decorated hand making its way onto his cheek.

"i love you, mel," he whispered as he pressed his forehead against mine, and i smiled as i looked into his big beautiful eyes.

"i love you, tyler," i whispered back, connecting our lips again.

everything had been set into place. everything felt more right than i ever thought possible for myself. to think that the darkest place i had ever been in had began all of this and led me to this moment was absolutely astonishing to me. i kissed tyler with everything in me, grateful to him for saving me. grateful to him for bringing light into my life. grateful to him for helping me find my purpose after i had felt so lost for so long.

my purpose surfaced, and so will yours.