The first time you proposed, I laughed. But then, we were all of eight years old. Cherry blossoms fell like confetti and my dress was lacy and white, save for grass-scuffed knees and the missing bow that we’d tied to the top of our maple tree fort.

The second time you proposed, we both wept. Beneath ‘our’ cherry tree, with salty kisses and breathless vows that we would wait; that, after the war was over and you came back home, we’d get married, right there, amid the swirling, dancing drifts of palest pink and white.

The next time you proposed, my love, was seven summers later, when they finally, finally found you – rescued your squadron from that unspeakable place and brought the shell-shocked, living ghost of you back to me. They were the only words you spoke – you didn’t even know you were home, or that I was really there. Your family chose a convalescent home, and again I promised I’d wait. There were as many tears as petals that Spring.

Therapy, countless prayers and visits spanned a youth missed, a chance of children fading, and a heartache as heavy as the tanks that had caused it. Time passed, but my love did not.

Then, the last time you proposed, I squealed so loudly that the medics had to shush me. You were holding the slender, budding twigs that I’d left in your room, in the lumpy, clay vase we’d made in kindergarten.

Your eyes had lost their catatonic glaze, and you saw me – really saw me. The years dissolved in moments and it was as if your soul had at last re-inhabited your body. You smiled at me, and you had, finally, truly, come home.

So, this time, my love, I’m proposing. Right here, beneath our tree and the wind-whipped confetti of tiny, dancing blooms on this glorious Spring day. We may be much older than we’d planned, but one is never too old for love, and it is cherry blossom time.

5 1 vote
Post Rating
9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Brigitta Hegyi
Brigitta Hegyi(@brigitta-hegyi)
2 years ago

Such an emotional story, love gives us hope to live. ? 

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
2 years ago

Hi Taria and welcome. I have to say that this is a truly beautiful story, the heartbreak and hope are palpable. An extremely well written piece that had me gripped from the beginning to end. Very well done.

Susan Giles
Susan Giles(@susan-giles)
2 years ago

Thank you for helping us remember that patience and love will eventually win in the end. I enjoyed this story.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
2 years ago

Hello Taria, you had me the first time he proposed! And I loved every proposal after, each with its own unique story as your characters’ lives unfolded. You gave us joy and heartbreak in equal measures, but their love was never in question. Really well written.

Dipayan Chakrabarti
Dipayan Chakrabarti(@dipayan-chakrabarti)
2 years ago

A poignant and reassuring story, Taria. After reading it, I began to believe that love can transcend time.

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
2 years ago

Welcome to Voice.club, Taria. I loved reading your story. It is very emotional with the persistency of the proposals and the love that stayed, healed and and transformed. I love the words “a heartache as heavy as the tanks that had caused it.” Beautifully written!

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
2 years ago

Well done, Taria! I’m with Linda – you had me with the first proposal and left me feeling totally satisfied and smiling. A beautiful story and very well written 🙂

Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

Welcome to the Voice club Taria. This is not just a love story, it also tells us of the horror of war, how many young men died before they had the chance to love, to live their life, and for those who came back maimed, shell shocked, and those who were shot by a firing squad, because they did not understand the condition of being shell shocked. In this light, this is… Read more »

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 years ago

I enjoyed reading your story. This is very emotional and heartbreaking. I love how it flows and how love holds each other in the fight to live. Your story makes me believe in the word “forever”.
A warm welcome to Voice club, Taria.

Last edited 2 years ago by Lotchie Carmelo

Recent Comments

9
0
Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
()
x
Scroll to Top

Sharing a Post

Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!