“Abram my boy, since you and your family moved in next door to my family, you have been a very good and true friend to my daughter. You have always shown her nothing but kindness, understanding to her, and yes certainly patients. This has gone along ways at earning my admiration, and respect. You are certainly a hard enough worker I admire that quality. I cannot even begin to thank you for all that you have done for the family and me, over the last couple of years - you have been a true Godsend. “He paused, eyes sparkling with mischief, before glancing at my mother.”
“Now the question that I have been asking myself, ever since you asked for my daughters hand in marriage, is if I were to say yes to you, young man - giving you permission to marry my baby bear, the question for me is, will you be able to provide for her in a proper manner. A manner she so richly deserves. I think will you love her with all your heart, and soul, if my answer was to be yes. You certainly would have to assure me to hopefully one-day grant an old man with many grandbabies I can then one day spoil. It would do us good to have the pitter-patter of small children once again. A man has nothing, if he doesn’t have a family.” Again, he paused, looking towards the door. Thinking perhaps of the joy he’d already granted my sister.
“Consequently, I already know the answer to these questions; it was more of a rhetorical question. So as I try reflecting on your character; I can see a strong, kind, respectful young man, with a good head on his shoulder. I certainly observe the way my daughters face completely lights up whenever you come around her, I see the love in her heart, and her step is a little lighter. I would have to be blind to say otherwise. Now that particular gaze she gets when she happy, having something to do with you. I am very acquainted with such a look - her mother gets the identical look towards me, when we were dating. As a father, how could I possibly break my dear daughter’s heart, by saying no to her, or you? A father should be so blessed to know that their daughter has an opportunity to marry someone so wonderful. You’ll be able to appreciate how difficult this is, one day when you have your own children, and if you have a daughter, just remember to think of her heart, and be gentle before you give your answer. You know it seemed like just yesterday she was just a baby, and I would rock her to sleep in my arms. My gosh now on this day I guess I’m coming to the realization that she’s matured into a woman right before my eyes, where have all the years gone? I guess I’ve grown old during this time, look at all the gray hairs. Nothing in my heart, can surely say no to such a joyful union… so what more is there to say? Welcome to the family, son! I would be truly honored if you were to marry my dear Hana! Yes, you have my blessing.
My ears were ringing in shock. I was holding firmly onto Abram’s hand as we had waited for Poppa to give us his permission. I guess I got carried away as I squeezed the life out of his poor hand - it was turning white, and yet he was gentlemen enough to have never said a thing. I was shocked he hadn’t asked me to let go. Abram must have ignored the pain. He seemed to be preoccupied studying Poppa, for any positive sign. I know I could barely breathe.
Then in disbelief, those wonderful words rolled out of my dad’s mouth. I couldn’t hold back my joyful emotions any longer. My whole life was in the equilibrium, everything depending on the next few words out of his mouth.
After Poppa said all right, we both quickly stood up,
“Oh my gosh, Abram, we’re going to get married!”
“I know, isn’t that great!”
Abram romantically swept me off my feet, I wrapped my arms around him, and he excitedly twirled us both around. My dress was swirling wide as if I were dancing. We both began kissing one another, the fireworks began going off immediately, as our two set of lips looked. All the passion and fire came through in that one fantastic kiss, all the wonderful things I dreamed of saying to Abram on this day, somehow came through in our kiss. More passion than I had ever felt in my life. Both completely forgetting that we were kissing one another right in front of my parents especially Poppa, who is strict about this sort of thing. I think we were both so wrapped up in the moment.
Being subtle, my father cleared his throat rather loudly, attempting to get both our attention in the process, he then piped in, “Alright you two, you’re not married just yet, and you have only received my blessing not two minutes ago. I promise that once you two are finally united in matrimony, then in God’s eye, as well as mine you can kiss one another in such a manner. But until that time has come to pass, you will both have to reframe from taking such actions, and patiently wait. Do you both understand me? Have I made myself heard?”
“Yes Sir, thank you so very much! You have my word; you have made me so happy!”
“Oh yes Poppa! We understand, thank you so much! You have made me so blissfully happy by allowing us to marry!” I at once let go of Abram, not wanting to press my luck with my Poppa. I had to remind myself that I was still part of my father’s house; he was head of the family. I desired nothing more than to thank him, I walked over with tears welling up in my eyes, giving him a great big hug, and a kiss on his cheek. I then whispered in Poppa’s ear, “I love you Poppa!” I didn’t dare say anything about it, but I could see even Poppa was wrapped up in the moment he was fighting back the tears, not at all actually shedding a single tear, but his eyes were watery. My Poppa was a very loving man with a pure heart of gold. He would give the shirt off his back, if he had seen someone in need. But it was quite rare that he cried. He is a strong, proud man.
Then Abram timid, walked over like a man to where Poppa was standing, be sure he was making eye-to-eye contact. Dad really liked that. I had coached him ahead of time. His hand trembling as he did, he reached out to shake Poppa’s hand, as a measure of showing respect. Poppa took this gesture and grabbed firmly onto his hand, and swiftly caught him off completely off guard, by abruptly pulling him into his body. He was showing him, that a line was being crossed. He was now part of the family. Poppa then placed his arms firmly around the man I was in-love with, he did not have a chance to pull away, and then Abram for the first time, began to hug my Poppa back. There were the two most important men in my life lovingly embracing, who would have ever imagined that. How precious was that? If that did not warm my heart, then I did not know what would. Looking at Momma it appeared she was happy with thisrecent development.
Poppa spoke very softly to Abram,
“I just wanted you to know I always thought of you as a son, I had always hoped it would be you that won my daughters heart. That’s quite an accomplishment.”
Abram smiled, “Thank you sir! That means a lot to me.”
I walked over to Momma, who was wiping the many tears from her eyes, running down her cheeks. The two of us began to then hug one another. Unbelievably, she and I were quite good friends, though, only a couple of years ago we had had a rough patch. I realize now that had a lot to do with me.
“Congratulation my child! I’m so happy for you two, oh your getting such a handsome man, I should be so lucky.”
“Thank you Momma, but I might add Poppa’s quite handsome. Well it looks like we get to plan for my wedding Momma!
“Yes my child, I guess we do, and a grand wedding it shall be!”
Poppa chimed in to Momma and my little chat, as the two of them looking back over at Momma and me, tapping him on his shoulder, “Son you see that, look, you better get use to the women in this family crying at the drop of the hat. As a word of advice, try carrying around a handkerchief with you. But don’t mistake their tears as a sign of weakness - no, no my dear boy, quite the contrary, it took me a couple of years after her mother and I had married for me to learn this. See, they have a hearts of gold, and it’s the men of our family’s responsibility to try and cherish those few precious moments, whenever they start crying. To witness their softer side is a gift blessed to us - but my son, learn quickly never to take advantage of this. The women of this family are moody, and surprisingly strong, and can have a temper. I would venture to say stronger than us men - there has been ma
ny of times I would not have gotten through a difficult time, without my dear wife’s strength. They tend to only show this softness to the ones that they love the most, and feel that they can trust.”
“Yes, I think that I understand you sir!”
“That’s kind of you to say young man, but I would have to disagree, no you don’t. But that’s ok, over the years you will learn. And as a piece of advice you’ll never figure them out. Twenty-five years of marriage and I still don’t” The look on Poppa’s face grew serious, “I never want you to hurt her. Can you promise me that?”
“I could never hurt her!”
“Funny thing son, I somehow already knew that. I just wanted to hear it from your lips, man to man. I think a man’s word is everything, don’t you?”
“Yes Sir!”
Poppa suddenly gave his protective, defiant stare back at my dear vulnerable Abram -I could see my dear Abram was feeling a bit uncomfortable under the collar. He turned and looked at me in a near panicked state. However, in this circumstance, I thought that I would acquiesce to my father on this one. And not get involved he was a man now and had to let him fight his own battles. He was the head of this family, and seeing that he had just given permission for us to marry. I could let Abram squirm just a little, before I came to his ultimate rescue.
That is when Poppa flabbergasted Momma, Abram, as well as I, by excitedly piping in, now with a warm awkward lovely wide smile, from chin to chin. “Momma it looks like our baby is going to get married; I would say we should celebrate wouldn’t you?”
He then took out a cigar from his personal wooden box on the mantle, where he keeps his all his cigars, bit the tip off, then lit his lighter holding it to the flame. He took a couple of deep puffs, as he got the tobacco lit up, and enjoyed the fresh smoke before going on.
“Momma let’s open up that bottle of Champagne, the one we have been saving, this certainly is a special enough occasion, wouldn’t you say darling?”
Smiling, she cried,” oh yes!”
Poppa said, “Oh my goodness, we need to let everybody know the fantastic news, this simply can’t wait until tomorrow. I’ll tell you all what where going to do, Abram why don’t you run next door and retrieve your future sister-law Marym - have her and her family come over at once. And please invite your parents, they’re certainly going to want to know the good news! I’ll tell you what, tell them we would be honored if they were to come over for dessert. This family has some celebrating to do. Oh please! Now listen Abram, do not let on to our little surprise. Let’s wait until they arrive for that, I want the honor of telling them.”
“Yes Poppa I understand!”
“Oh Abram, could you wipe that smile off your face, goodness sake you’re going to give the surprise away.”
Momma hastily rushed into the kitchen, I followed close behind her. I wanted to give Momma a hand with things - luckily, for us, she just so happened to have made her famous German chocolate cake, with sour-cream frosting. I brought the cake out, and set it on the dining room table, directly under the light. I snuck a lick of frosting just before Momma saw me. She brought out her best china plates, and crystal wine glasses. She hardly ever let us eat from those dishes. I knew just how much they had meant to her. It was not long after that, that everyone was arriving at our front door, none the wiser. I was nervous just how they all were going to react to the news! I had woken grandmamma from her nap so she could hear the news as well.
Poppa waited impatiently out on the front screen porch, puffing away on his cigar. He welcomed them as they arrived at the house. They all showed up at the same time. We all at least got together at least once a week; this was going to prove to be our second time just this week.
“So good of you all to come on such short notice, I apologize for that, it was my idea. Please would you all go in and take a seat? Hana dear would you please give everyone a glass.”
“Yes Poppa!”
Momma was following quickly behind me, with the Champagne, not pouring too much in any one glass, trying to ensure that everyone received equal shares. It was more about the toast.
Once Poppa could see all our glasses were full, enough for a toast, and everyone was comfortably sitting. I sat down next to Abram we held hands. With a measure of swollen pride written all over his face, I could tell that he was happy for me, he was positively glowing by this point.
“Well thank you for all coming here this evening. I suppose you are all are wondering? Trust me it was completely unexpected. The motive as you could imagine may be no kind of a surprise to any of you once you have heard what I have to say, that all being said, I assure you I have a joyful announcement to make in front of my dearest of friends, and all those I love sit here in this room! Tonight after having a lengthy conversation, with Abram.”
I looked around the room - everyone’s ears immediately perked up, with intense interest. They scooted forward in their chairs, not to miss a single word, only waiting to hear Poppa only confirm what they all now suspected this was all about, after all - what else could this possibly be about?
“I want you all to know, I have decided after Abram had a meaningful conversion with me. I agreed I would give my permission to the consent to your dear son Abram, to marry our dear baby, Hana upon both their graduation,” It has been made quite clear that once again, our families shall forever be cemented closer ties, and our family trees united.”
Everyone got up out of his or her chair, and cheered, everyone in the room began lining up, one after another to come hug me, and shacking Adams hand in congratulations’.
Poppa once again spoke up - managing to gain the attention of the excited room the room went silent, “I propose that we toss to our future bride and groom,”
Poppa offered up a cigar to the other men including for the first time Abram was to be included with the other men. Abram smiled with the fact he was being included, a rite of passage. Abram began coughing on his first puffs. He had never smoked before this night. He was ecstatic when he was handed a cigar. But shortly after lighting up, he turning a bit green around the gills, he decided not to finish the rest, he handed it over to his father. He quickly ran outside, and he threw up. The other men began laughing, at his expense, I thought it was quite funny myself, and desiring to join in, but thought it best to bite my tongue. I would laugh later when no one else was around, I ran to his aid instead.
Abram’s Dad chimed in, “Hear, hear, I will second that. I to agree to this union, my son couldn’t be marrying a more beautiful, kind woman. I couldn’t think of a more perfect bride for him! And I should be so lucky to have beautiful grandchildren - as beautiful as her.”
“Thank you!” I said. The room was electrified with emotions.
Momma then chimed in, “Ladies it looks like we have another wedding to plan!”
Abram’s Mom, my Momma, and my sister smiled and clapped. Something about women and wedding, Momma loved everything about them - she was a great party organizer, she planned to the smallest of details.
Marym who was pregnant, with her second child brought up an interesting question, that none of us had considered, wrapped up in all the excitement, “So guy’s, when is the big day going to be?”
“You know I don’t know!” We hadn’t really talked about it, we weren’t sure Poppa was going to say yes I guess.”
This got us thinking. Abram and I glanced over at one another, excited with the fact that we were deciding when we would be getting married - I whispered in Abram’s ear it had suddenly dawned on me. I had the perfect day in mind. Since Poppa wanted us to wait until we are graduated.
After he had heard my purposed wedding date, he smiled, “Really?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea!”
“Go ahead Abram tell them!”
“Well everybody we graduate on May 12th, as you know, and we don’t desire waiting any longer, we would like our wedding day to be on June 24th, Hana’s 18th birthday, see
she wants to share her birthday with me, so it can be both our day. Oh and another reason is, she said it will be easier on me to remember our anniversary.”
Everyone began laughing!
Momma excitedly said, “Well than we better get started, seeing we have less than two months to plan this - not much time Hana dear, but we’ll find a way to make it work.”
“Thanks Momma!”
We all celebrated late into the night that is of course, with the exception of my darling three-year-old niece, who was fast asleep in my bed where it was quite. I was simply on cloud nine the whole evening - it all seemed so unbelievable, that my dream was finally materializing. It dawned on me,
“Oh my gosh, I’m actually engaged.”
In all the excite Abram’s mother had a funny look on her face, she left the house for a couple of minutes, then when she returned. I noticed her talking to Abram privately.
“Then Abram came over to me, “excuse me everyone could I have your attention one moment,” Abram got down on one knee, and then slipped beautiful engagement ring on my finger.
War Torn Love Page 8