It was a perfect July day. She carried the blanket and he carried the basket towards the lone tree in the middle of the field... their field... the place they always went to be together. They smiled at each other. She kicked off her sandals to feel the lush grass beneath her feet as they walked. She carefully unfolded the blanket, setting it just outside the tree's shade so they could bask in the sun and then move to the shade when it became too hot. He immediately began to take the items out of the basket, knowing that she would want to eat right away. She watched him display everything he had meticulously packed... the chilled wine, cheese, strawberries, and chocolate. They talked and laughed as they ate, and he thought that the vibrant blue sky was no match for her blue eyes. They laid on their backs after eating, listening to the wind and drifting in and out of sleep. Conversation was not necessary and time was not an issue. As she contemplated the beauty and wonder of nature, he rolled on to his side and propped his head up on one elbow. He asked her plainly, "Will you marry me?"
Her eyes snapped open and she blinked rapidly against the brightness of the sky, devoid of any clouds, and against the starkness of the question itself. A smile slowly spread across her face.
She laughed at the absurdity of his question and replied no, for what seemed like the tenth time. Unsurprised by his best friend's reaction, he laughed too. Even though her answer was always the same, he asked her anyway. He knew that one of these days she was going to see that they belonged together, just like the blue sky paired perfectly with the green grass all around them. He was a patient man and he knew that sunshine cannot be rushed.
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