At the End of May

Golden sunlight, resplendent against a canvas of late spring blue, dances with the stream of water as it falls over the edge and into the river below. I sit on the floor of the cavern behind the falls and breathe in the scent of fresh water. My skin prickles as a sharp, cool mist hits my face, as if the fingers of the waterfall have reached out to welcome me, caressing my skin on the afternoon breeze.

He sits behind me, his arms wrapped around my chest, holding me close to his warm body. I can feel his heartbeat against my back, strong and rapid from his venture down to the river and back up again. I smile as he kisses the back of my head and says, “I love you” for the fifth time in ten minutes. I’m about to turn my head and speak when, suddenly, he’s kneeling next to me, his eyes wide and filled with anticipation.

From seemingly nowhere, a ring appears. It’s a single marquis diamond in the center of a silver band. I meet his gaze as he tells me how much he loves me and wants to spend every day of his life by my side as my husband. With tears in his eyes he asks me to marry him, and I know what my answer will be.

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