by M. N. Miller

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Where the Waterfall Begins

I'm sitting in the car all by myself trying to keep breathing and calm down. I have no idea where he is. He yelled something about just leaving him alone and then got out and slammed the door. I didn't follow him. I didn't even look to see in which direction he went. I was determined to not let this ruin my day. Every weekend, it seems to be something. This weekend, I guess, would be like the others. It was a crisp Saturday morning with the sun fighting it's way out from behind the white cotton clouds. Perfect day, except for the small, minor detail of us fighting.

I finally get out of the car and decide to hike to see the waterfall by myself. I felt that if I kept a positive attitude that maybe things might take a turn for the better and at least I wouldn't be a teary mess all day. It was a beautiful walk. The forest was quiet except for the sound of running water and birds chirping. I began to feel peaceful. I felt more calm the more I walked and breathed. It became like a walking meditation.

It doesn't take long to reach the top. He's already there, but we avoid each other as we take in the noisy and beautiful waterfall. The sun chose this moment to break free of the billowy clouds and shine down on us. That's when I heard his footsteps behind me. When I turned to look at him, he immediately said he was sorry. And then he gave this apologetic smile and held his arms out for me to climb into for a big hug. I was glad that he was able to work through being upset so fast. Sometimes he can take a while and it will be a whole day gone before we've made up and are back to making nice. It felt good. We were still growing as a couple. We might make it yet, I thought.

We both stood and watched the water careen off the side of the cliff. He pointed out that if we knelt down at a certain spot, we would be almost exactly on the level of the water as it made its free fall dive. "This is where the waterfall begins," he said. I tried to capture this with my camera and I didn't notice that he wasn't still there next to me when I stood up. I turned around, still looking at my camera and saw him. He was still kneeling, but this time, on only one knee.

I don't think my brain and heart knew really what was happening. I remember some clear thoughts like voiceovers that narrated the events - "he is proposing." "This is an amazing moment." All time stopped. "I love you. I want you to be the mother of my children, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

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