An Easter Story

It was Easter, 1994. N and I had slipped out of my parents' house for an early morning walk on the beach followed by a cup of coffee at the local bakery. As we sipped our coffee, N suddenly handed me a little box....just about the size of a ring box. My stomach flipped.

You see, we had begun talking about getting married just a few weeks before. We had decided that N would discuss all this with my Step-Father at Easter. We had only known each other for a few months, but we both knew that the other was the one.

A million thoughts ran through my head as that little box was held out to me. I looked in his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened it. Nestled inside that box was a little wooden Easter egg. We both laughed. We were so happy and I enjoyed the joke.

That day, after Easter dinner, N took my Step-Father out into the backyard for a talk. Everyone in the family knew what was going on. My Grandfather was glued to the window. We didn't become officially engaged that day, but we gained the blessing of our family. An important first step.

The beginning of the beginning. And it was Easter.