"Let's go for a walk," begged Eric. "It will be chilly soon, and then it's too late."

He did not have to ask me twice. I cannot think of anything better than walking in the park with Eric, except maybe listening to his deep, soothing voice. A voice I could listen to forever and not get tired of it.

As usual, he took my arm as we slowly made our way to our favorite park bench. It was empty as we arrived, just as the sun started to disappear behind the tall trees to the west. There was the promise of a colorful red sunset, and I was looking forward to it. I guess most girls of sixteen are quite sentimental. And a fiery sunset always gets to me.

The bench felt comfortable, not just in a physical way, but mostly because Eric and I had spent many evenings here, talking about many things, but mostly about the future, our favorite topic.

"Sue," started Eric, "the time has come to make a decision about the wedding. We will have to decide this week at the very latest."

"I agree," I answered him. "It has been on my mind all day long. One voice said, go for it now, the other voice answered, let's wait another year."

Eric looked at me for while, weighing his answer. He too is sentimental, but not to the extent of a sixteen year old girl like me is.

"I know that I would like to get married right away, but I have to consider all three of us, Mom, you, and me. And after having given it a lot of thought I vote for a postponement till you have finished your student exchange year in Ge4rmany."

"You are absolutely right," I told him. "A real love union between a man and a woman in love does not disappear. If it is real love, it will be there next year."

Eric nodded his head and continued, "I also talked with Mom about setting the date and she agreed with me. You are so busy right now with your travel preparations, and with studying German, even when you go to the toilet, that there just is not enough time to devote for a wedding."

"I am glad we made a decision, Eric. I guess I am somewhat strained at the moment. Now I feel suddenly much better, much relieved. Naturally, a wedding is a much more momentous affair in a woman's life. She even gives up her name. But still, it's a ceremony. And ceremonies can wait."

Eric stood up and pulled me to my feet. Then, always the gallant knight, he put his jacket over my shoulders. He was right, it was turning chilly. His jacket kept me comfortably warm and his arm around my waist made me feel safe from all the ills of the world as he walked me home.

This had been the second major decision this month. The first one had involved Eric also.

Mom had invited Eric for dinner and he casually mentioned that he was going to look for another studio apartment soon. The building where he lived was slated for demolishment to make room for the new Interstate Highway.

A few days later Mom surprised me.

"Do you think," she asked me, "would be proper to offer Eric the spare room in the back of the house? The question arises because this would mean an unmarried sixteen-year old young lady and a young bachelor living in the same house."

I didn't know what to say, I just nodded my head. But then I decided to be bold and speak my mind.

"I don't see what could be improper about that. After all the wedding will make everything legal."

"I am glad we both feel the same way about that," said Mom. Now to where to put him; I am thinking about the room where we have accumulated a lot of junk over the last four years since Dad left us. You know, we never did get Dad's den in order since he passed away."

Two weeks later, on his thirty-second birthday, Eric moved into my Dad's former den. The only problem was the long walk between the bedroom and the den. But at least there were no squeaky floor boards to give away his nightly visits. Only the squeals and moans told of what was going on.

I hoped Dad would approve from wherever he now rested.

Mom and I missed Dad very much. He was only thirty-two when he was killed four years ago, just a year older than Mom.

*******

My year in Germany passed quickly and I had to say a teary good-by to my foster parents and their daughter. It had been an exciting year and I had been driven all over the country. I took a ton of pictures with me and mountains of fabulous memories.

But there was a wedding ahead and I was getting anxious. There were so many preparations to be made, and Mom and I had our days filled. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.

Mom took me into her confidence every so often and we talked freely about a lot of subjects. Mom passed on much advice to the future bride in her family, things I should know as a wife.

A tornado of activity had hit the house and in the eye of the tornado stood Mom, solid and cool as ever, while I was swirled around and around,

I remember wedding announcements, decisions as to who to invite, flowers, brides maids and their dresses, refreshments to be served, reservations to be made, band to be selected. I started to wonder how other brides managed to live through it all.

From here on it was an emotional roller coaster all the way through until the day after the wedding.

I do remember waking up slowly, long after Eric. I heard him talking to Mom in the kitchen. The strains of the wedding march were still playing in my ears. I marveled at how calm Eric appeared. While I was an emotional rag doll he stood solid. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. I made a mental note to ask him to wear one again on certain occasions like anniversaries.

I remembered looking into the eyes of the few relatives and friends we had invited and I could see their approval.

I remembered the happiness hugs I got when I stood in the reception line.

I remembered how beautiful the wedding cake was and how special it tasted.

And then a special memory rose; Eric's strong arm around me, holding me close, while he slowly danced with me to the applause of the audience.

I finally shook myself fully awake. I hurried through a quick shower and selected the little red dress that Eric liked so much.

I practically flew down the stairs. I had been right; Eric and Mom were in the kitchen. They heard me coming and had put down their coffee cups in anticipation. They knew me and that it meant that a hugging attack was imminent.

I did not disappoint them. I flung myself at them, hugging both in my best imitation of a bear hug. I was deliriously happy and I started crying happy tears.

"This is the happiest day of my life, finally we are a family again; a Mom, a Dad, and a daughter. You two are the best Mom and Dad a girl like me could have."