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“Sorry about not asking for your blessing first,” I said.
“I understand why you didn’t. Colton, I have only one thing to say.”
“What is that?” I asked.
“Promise me that you’ll make my daughter as happy as she is today, for the rest of her life,” he said.
“Greg, that’s a promise I’m more than happy to make.”
Annabella and I stepped away from the others, not far but enough so we could have a moment of privacy.
We heard my dad shout, “Colton, look up.”
As I did, the sky filled with shooting stars. I hadn’t seen this many since I was a young boy, stargazing with my mother. It was like she was here with me, giving her blessing as well. I raised my glass up to the sky.Thanks, Mom.
Annabella wrapped an arm around my waist and whispered, “Is everything okay? You look…like you were in deep thought.”
“I was just thinking about my mother,” I said.
“I’m sure she’s here with you in spirit,” she said,
“I know she is,” I said. Looking down at Annabella, I added, “I hope you know you just made me the happiest man alive. I love you.”
“I love you too, Colton.”
“There is one more thing that you don’t know,” I said.
“What is that?” she asked.
“What do you think about this yacht?” I asked.
“It’s amazing. Then again, I would love anything on the ocean, you know that.”
“You mean you’d love a rubber dinghy just as much as this yacht?” I teased.
“Well, maybe not as much,” she smiled.
“Did you know there are three bedrooms on this boat?” I said.
“No, I didn’t. Why, did you rent it for the night?” she questioned.
“No. For six months,” I said.
“What? I don’t understand. What are you going to do with a boat in South Dakota?” she asked.
“I took a leave of absence from the dairy industry. What do you think about living on this boat with me while we plan our future together?”
“I think I am dreaming and I don’t want to wake up,” she said.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Yes, I’d follow you anywhere. And for the record, I’d even go with you if we had to travel by cart and mule.”
I laughed. “Maybe we’ll do that in the second half of the year.”
“As long as we are together, I don’t care,” she said. “I used to think my dream was oceanfront property. I was wrong. When I look into your eyes, I have found what I was looking for. I found my home.”
“And I found my family,” I said, pulling her close again.
