by Molly Jebber
Her mamm had taught her to sew, to bake, and to cook. She’d also taught her patience and discernment in settling disputes with her schweschders through the years. The most important thing she’d learned from her was to seek God’s will in her life when making decisions. Her mamm had shared notations in her Bible she’d made to refer to Scriptures special to her. Anna had jotted the same reference notes in her Bible. She needed all the help she could get when she encountered life’s bumps in the road.
Leah and Beth pushed her bedroom door open.
Leah grinned. “Today’s your big day! Are you nervous?”
She shook her head. “No, excited!”
Beth bounced on her toes. “Me too!”
Mamm joined them. “I’m a little sad. I’ll miss having you around here, Anna.”
Stepping inside, her family gathered around her. She would miss living among them. Walking to her mamm’s or schweschders’ rooms to share something with them or ask a question, doing chores together.
Beth traced Anna’s arm with her finger. “You won’t be here when I kumme home from school. I’ll have to go to Mrs. Hochstetler’s. She’s wonderful, but I will miss our time together.”
“I’ll schedule time to kumme over. We can still have meals and time together. You can kumme over anytime.”
Mamm said, “I stitched an apron for you to wear in the kitchen. I wanted something you could use along with the recipes I wrote out for you.”
“Mamm, the apron is beautiful, and I’ll tie it around my waist and neck often with you in mind. Danki.” She hugged her.
Beth laughed and pointed to Daisy’s cradle. “Our little schweschder can sleep through anything. She hasn’t moved a bit.”
Anna yawned. “She was up last night each time the thunder clapped.”
Knock. Knock.
Cotton barked.
They went to greet the person at the door.
Anna pushed the door open. “Grace! Mark! Joy! Kumme in.”
They exchanged a wilkom greeting.
Grace had a wrapped package tucked under her free arm. “We won’t stay but a short time. I’m certain you have a lot to do, but I didn’t want to wait to give you my present.” She handed Anna a wrapped gift.
“Danki!” Anna unwrapped the gift and unfolded the quilt. She spotted the pocket and plucked out the letter inside. “‘Dear Anna, The day you walked into my shop and asked for a job, I knew you were special. Your smile radiated on your face. You stepped into my life, and we’ve become close friends. You’ve listened to my woes, shared my joys, and loved me unconditionally. I don’t have to hold back on what I tell you. I wish you and Daniel the best. Love, Grace.’” Anna swiped tears staining her cheeks. “Grace, your gift is perfect. I love what your letter says, and I’ll treasure your written words always.”
Her eyes pooling with tears, Grace hugged her. “I mean every word. I’ll leave you to get ready for your big day. We’re off to help with organizing the dishes before the service. I’ll meet up with you in a little bit.”
Grace, Mark, and Joy bid them farewell, went outside, climbed in their buggy, and headed toward the church.
Mamm, Leah, and Beth admired the quilt.
Leah grinned. “Grace’s gift couldn’t have been more perfect. She shared her heart with you in the letter. You are very special to her.”
“I love her too. I hope I’ve helped fill a void with her friend Becca living so far away.”
Mamm patted her shoulder. “In my opinion, you’ve accomplished your wish. Do you need help getting ready?”
“I can manage, but danki.”
“We’ll be planning for Leah’s wedding day before long.”
Smiling, Mamm shook her head. “Oh, I hope she waits for a while. I’ll have a difficult time adjusting to your not living here. I enjoy our tight-knit family.”
Beth picked up a wrapped package tied with twine. “I’ll hold Daniel’s surprise!”
Smiling, Anna squeezed her little schweschder’s arm. “Danki, sweetheart.” She couldn’t wait to watch Daniel’s eyes light up when she handed him her handiwork. She put a lot of love into each stitch.
Mamm said, “The time is getting away from us. We should be on our way. I’ll harness the horse to the buggy.”
Leah changed Daisy, and Beth finished getting ready.
Anna stared at her bedroom and sighed. Her life was about to change, and it was exciting! She joined her family in the buggy and smiled, picturing Daniel standing before her and saying “I do.”
* * *
Daniel met them halfway. “You look lovely, Anna.” He couldn’t believe their wedding day had finally arrived. She was a kind and loving woman. She was everything he wanted in a fraa. Their meetings these past weeks had brought out they were in agreement on the importance of communication, raising a family, and finances. She brought joy into his life with her sweet demeanor and cheerful attitude. From the time he’d met her in the shop, she’d left an indelible impression on him. He’d been smitten with her from that day to this. From now on she would be at his side. He was a very happy man. She’d stolen his heart, and so had little Daisy.
“You look handsome yourself, Mr. Bontrager. You look like you’re getting married today.” She laughed.
“As a matter of fact, I am, and she’s the prettiest woman in Berlin.” He winked and grinned.
Leah balanced Daisy on her hip, and Mamm and Beth joined them.
Daniel clasped Daisy’s hand. “Are you ready to move into a different haus, little one? We’ll take the documents to the judge in town after we’re married and officially change Daisy’s name to Bontrager too.”
She held out her arms to him and grinned.
Leah stepped away from him. “You can’t hold her. She could dribble on you and leave a wet spot on your handsome black jacket.”
Anna smiled. “My schweschder is taking care of us. She’s making sure we’ll be presentable for our big day.”
He nodded. “Danki, Leah. I can use all the help I can get.”
Beth tugged on his arm. “Will you bring Otis over to visit us a lot?”
“Absolutely, and you can bring Cotton over to our haus anytime.”
She grinned big. “And maybe you can throw ball with me again.”
“I’d be disappointed if we didn’t.”
Mamm exchanged a thankful look with Daniel. “You’re good with kinner.”
“Daisy and Beth make it easy.”
They walked into the church, together, as a family.
The bishop beckoned them. “Anna and Daniel, please join me outside.”
He led them to a shady spot under a cluster of big oak trees. “Do either of you have any reservations about the commitment you’re going to make to each other? In our meetings these past weeks, you’ve not shown any.”
Anna and Daniel shook their heads.
“Daisy’s addition to your family won’t allow much time for the two of you to adjust to married life alone, as a couple. Remember what we talked about. You’ll both need added patience and understanding with her in mind. Any questions for me?”
Daniel and Anna shook their heads again.
Bishop Weaver read I Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen, Verses Four through Seven. “‘Charity suffereth long, is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’” He closed his Bible. “Read these verses together when you have a disagreement or become discouraged. You’ll find comfort in them.” He bowed his head and prayed with them. “Let’s go back in. Congratulations on your special day.”
Daniel and Anna followed Bishop Weaver and took their seats on opposite sides of the church.
Daniel stole glances at her through the songs and during the bishop’s message. She was beautiful. He would take good care of her and
Daisy. He’d worked long hours bringing in the harvest the past weeks. The crops had been healthy and plentiful. After they enjoyed a bountiful and superb meal after the service, he’d present her with his gift. Woodworking wasn’t something he had much time for, but he’d stayed up late and risen early to work on his gift for her.
He couldn’t wait to have her to himself. He would love and cherish her for the rest of his life. To have a partner to listen to and share life’s ups and downs with would be a wilkom change. He’d shouldered problems alone since his family’s passing. Now he would have Anna.
Daisy had the sweetest personality. She was such a pleasant boppli. He accepted her as his dochder and couldn’t imagine her not being a part of their new beginning together. Anna’s family had been supportive, warm, and wilkoming from the time he’d met them. Marriage would bind him to them until he parted this earth. He had a family again. What a good feeling.
The bishop asked him and Anna to step to the front with him. His heart raced. He grinned and faced her before the bishop. Her eyes sparkled and glistened. Her smile told him they were tears of joy. He had to restrain himself from reaching for her, holding her close, and telling her how much he loved her.
Bishop Weaver read I Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen. He talked about fraas submitting to their husbands, and husbands respecting and loving their fraas. “Daniel Bontrager, do you commit to love, cherish, protect, and provide for Anna and accept her as your fraa until you pass from this earth?”
“I do.” He exchanged a loving smile with Anna. He wanted to shout from the highest hill in Berlin how much this day meant to him. Committing to Anna was the easiest thing he’d ever done.
Bishop Weaver gestured to Anna. “Anna Plank, do you commit to love, cherish, obey, submit to, and accept Daniel as your husband until you pass from this earth?”
“I do.” Blushing, she lowered her eyes and smiled at Daniel.
The bishop prayed and lifted his head. “Daniel and Anna, I pronounce you husband and fraa.”
He’d wait to kiss her lips, pick her up, and twirl her around but, in his mind, he was doing it already.
Her mouth spread in a wide grin, and she threw him an endearing gaze.
Pressing his arms against his sides, he heaved a jubilant sigh. They would never forget their special day.
Bishop Weaver prayed again for the feast. “You’re dismissed. Let’s enjoy food and fellowship together.”
Friends surrounded them and wished them the best. The crowd soon gathered outside and the women had the tables full of succulent dishes and an array of desserts.
Daniel pulled her under their usual after-church-services spot by the big oak tree. “I love you, Mrs. Bontrager! I wish I could hug you tight. I’m the happiest man in the world.”
Anna beamed and her happiness was all he needed to feel like the most blessed man anywhere. She chose him to wed and share her life. He’d won her heart, and she’d won his.
Anna blushed. “Our wedding day finally arrived! I’m thrilled to be your fraa, Daniel!”
Grace and Sarah approached them. Sarah had one child on her hip and another holding her hand. “The food is getting cold. You two get something to eat before your favorite dishes are gone.”
Daniel laughed and stood. “You don’t have to tell me again.”
He and Anna followed her friends to the table. They filled their plates and joined Grace, Mark, Sarah, and Levi.
Anna glanced at Daniel as he spoke with Mark and Levi. They were laughing and having a good time together. The two couples were good examples of loving marriages. She valued Grace’s and Sarah’s advice. She wanted to get better acquainted with Sarah. She hadn’t had much of a chance, since Sarah kept busy caring for her home, husband, and kinner.
Grace hugged her. “You and Daniel looked like you might burst with love as you agreed to commit to each other. You made the best choice. I love Noah, but he will fall in love with another woman one day. You two had grown apart and sought different things. There’s nothing wrong with either path, but it wasn’t meant for the two of you to be together forever. Having mutual desires in life will make marriage a lot smoother.” Her eyes damp, she wiped her cheeks. “Mark is probably telling Daniel this as we speak. He built you a maple bed and two dressers. He thought you might like to have your own instead of using Jonathan and Adele’s in Daniel’s haus. We’ll drop the furniture off to you sometime later this week. The large pieces were cumbersome to move, so he didn’t bring your gift today. He wanted to leave the wagon empty to help deliver the gifts you receive today.”
“What a wonderful and generous gift! Danki, Grace! We will cherish your present.” She kissed her cheek. “In regard to your statement earlier, I couldn’t have said it better, Grace. I’m at peace with how Noah and I left things. We parted on good terms. I sincerely wish Noah the best in his life and in finding a woman to share his dreams.” She smiled and glanced over at Daniel. “I have found the perfect man to share my dreams.” She hugged Grace and joined her husband.
* * *
Daniel eavesdropped on Anna’s conversation. His heart soared. She was certain he was the one for her. Her conversation with Grace thrilled him. “Are you having a good time, sweetheart?”
“This is the best day.”
Beth glanced at him and bounced Daisy on her hip. “Do you feel married?”
Daniel grinned. “I do, and it feels good. What do you say, Anna?”
“I do, but I’ll have to get used to answering to my new last name. I’ve been signing Plank for a long time.” She chuckled.
Daisy reached for Daniel. He took her and held her up. “I’m your new daed, Daisy.”
She reached out to grab his nose.
They laughed.
Mark approached them and rubbed Daisy’s back. “Daniel, are you ready for an instant family?”
“I’ve spent time with Daisy and accepted she came with Anna if we married. I’m looking forward to raising her. I’ve always loved kinner.” He’d wanted bopplin soon. Daisy had made his dream kumme true sooner than expected. He was delighted to be the daed to this child. Sarah Helmuth came alongside her. “Levi and I want to invite you to our haus soon. These kinner of mine keep me busy, and I haven’t been getting out socially much. I apologize.”
Anna waved a dismissive hand. “Daisy is a handful, and she’s only one child. I can’t imagine the work involved with more kinner. Although, I’m looking forward to having a hausful if we’re blessed to have them.”
Daniel and Anna enjoyed their food and conversation with their friends for the next hour.
Grace tugged at Anna’s arm. “Everyone is gathered to present you and Daniel with gifts. Kumme and open them!”
Daniel and Anna got up and followed Grace to two chairs set aside for them. They sat next to each other. Grace sat next to her and passed the guests’ gifts of sheets, towels, kitchen utensils, wooden boxes with several recipes in them, cloth nappies for Daisy, bottles, potato and bread boxes, aprons, white kapps, and flour and sugar.
Mark nudged Daniel’s arm. “I built you a new bed and two dressers. I’ll bring them to you when it’s convenient for you to receive them. I left the wagon empty to help load and deliver the gifts you’ll receive today.”
“Mark, danki. I’m grateful to you.”
“Here, let me help you with the men’s gifts.” He passed each one to him.
For the next two hours, Anna and Daniel chatted and held up one gift after another to admire and show to the wedding guests.
Daniel stood. “Anna and I danki every one of you. We’ll put each of your gifts to good use. Danki for the food, gifts, and what we treasure most—your friendship.”
* * *
Daniel scanned the grounds. The crowd had dwindled, and the tables had few dishes left on them. Women cleared, and the men stowed the maple tables and benches in the barn and locked the door.
Mark patted Daniel on the back. “Levi and I will follow you home with our wagons and unload your
gifts.”
“Danki.” He would enjoy getting better acquainted with these men in the future.
Mamm pulled Anna aside. “I had Leah put your present for Daniel under the seat in his buggy.” She smiled. “We’ll take Daisy home with us for a day or two, so you and Daniel can have time alone. It will give you a chance to adjust and get settled.” She circled an arm around her waist. “This day couldn’t have been more perfect. Witnessing you and Daniel marrying has brought me such joy. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mamm.” Anna swiped a tear of happiness.
Daniel and Anna bid her family farewell, and she climbed in next to him. “Your mamm was kind to take Daisy for a couple of days.”
“She’s always been a thoughtful mamm.”
Mark and Levi followed with their gifts piled high and secure in their wagons.
Daniel gently squeezed her hand. “The sunshine, clear blue sky, and slight breeze added to our perfect wedding day. Even if rain poured and the sky grayed, the weather couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm in wedding you today, Mrs. Bontrager.”
She chuckled. “I didn’t notice the weather. I was so caught up in becoming your fraa!”
He exaggerated a wince. “You got me! Here I thought I was the mushier one.”
They laughed. Butch and all he’d put them through, Daisy being abandoned on Anna’s porch, and Noah’s return had been a lot for them to contend with, but their love had survived each obstacle and brought them closer. If they could get through all those things, he had no doubt they could conquer any problem in their future.
They arrived home and he, Levi, and Mark unloaded the gifts and brought them inside the haus. Anna carried the smaller things.
Daniel bid his friends farewell. He went inside, picked Anna up, and twirled her around. Something he’d wanted to do all day. “I love you! I love you! I love you!”
Anna giggled and held tight to his neck. “I’m getting dizzy!”
He sat on the settee and pulled her onto his lap, planting a firm kiss on her lips.
She’d returned his kiss, lifted her head, and grinned. “I’ve got something for you. I’ll be right back.” She ran out to his buggy.