Lights in the Heights: Middle Moments

  Eric's parents picked me up at the Houston airport. We talked almost non stop of the night's pending event. We reassured each other of our pride for the others child and the magical match this couple made. After a light meal at a local cafe, we retreated to their home for a bit of relaxation and for them to ready themselves for the big event.

Hustling onto the bus.

 The plan per Eric's instruction, was to have as many as 50 people meet at their joint friends' house, and at 8:00pm, a bus that he had chartered would take the large group to the "party house." In meeting so many of their friends and family, I was often enlightened with the respect this couple earned from so many people. Every soul present was as excited to see this occurrence as myself and Eric's parents. Everyone was so respectful of the fact that I was Shauna's mother, and Eric's to be, mother-in-law.
 The bus was loaded and on it's way to the destination site of their old neighborhood, "the Heights." Excitement and chatter filled the air despite the crowded bus. We all laughed and joked that Eric has set the bar high for future friends, with the idea of proposal in mind. Many of the young men joked, "How do we ever top this?"

  The ETA of the couple at this house was 9:00pm. There was already a small group gathered at the house, and many people were present for the actual Christmas party, not the proposal observation. Everyone mixed and mingled and had a drink or two while waiting for their arrival. Eric had schemed with two friends that his texts would be sent while they walked the four blocks to the house. This would signal their approach, and the need to corral everyone into the back yard to maintain the surprise for Shauna. When that text came, it was amazing to feel the static in the air and watch everyone hustle to the backyard and form a huge circle around the deck. The time was being watched dutifully by all, and the entry from the house to the deck was eyed by dozens, in anticipation.

 

  The moment came when the couple stepped onto the deck. My daughter, in sheer amazement scanned the crowd. She smiled at some of her friends, then noticed his parents present, and told herself, "what are they doing here?" Then she saw me and the surprise and shock set in. Eric eloquently took her hand and spun her to face him at the same time he knelt down. Very smooth...very quick. Between the whoops and the hollers floating  in the air, he gave his speech to her and watched her smile and tears beam from her. She said,"yes." and grabbed for me to embrace after her hug to the man.

 

  After an hour of mingling and hugging and accepting congratulations, my daughter took me by the hand and lead me outside and down the street three houses. We sat on a quiet stoop so she could absorb the new realization of being engaged. Then she called her brothers back in Washington. It was one of those mother daughter times I will always cherish.
 

 In writing this post, please excuse the picture placements. I could not get them to cooperate.