When we reach the bench and tree, we’re quiet for a few seconds.
“Is there something significant about today in your memories with your mom?” I ask, squeezing Brooks’ hand in encouragement.
He pivots to face me. “There isn’t a significantpastmemory, but I want her here in some way for anewsignificant memory.” The breeze blows a strand of hair across my face, and Brooks reaches up to tuck it behind my ear. His fingers linger on my skin, warming me despite the chill. He pulls me down to sit on the bench with him, but angles his body to face me rather than the lake.
Taking my hands in his, he fidgets with my fingers as he speaks. “Teegan, I’ve told you before, but I’m going to tell you again. You’re my best friend. You’ve made me better in more ways than I could ever count. Just being here today, sitting on this bench—you’ve helped me get here. And I want you with me for every ‘here’ I need to get to. I want to be with you for every ‘there’ you need to reach.”
Understanding starts to dawn on me, and my breath comes faster with each word he says.
“I didn’t deserve to ever have another chance to be with you, Sneaks. But God was gracious and kind, and he brought me back into your life. And you were gracious and kind, and you allowed me to stay. I’d like to stay forever, if you’ll have me.”
Brooks slips down to one knee in front of me, tears and intensity mixing with the joy in his eyes. He lets go of my hands to reach into his pocket, and my hands immediately fly to press against my heart.
“I love you. Every version of me has loved every version of you,willlove every version of you. I never, ever want to be apart from you again, Teegan Jones. Will you marry me?” His voice trembles along with his hands as he holds up a velvet box. The rose gold ring inside glitters with an intricate pattern of diamonds. The glittery effect is probably amplified by the tears blurring my vision.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” I exclaim, throwing myself at Brooks. My exuberance catches him off balance, and he tips backward on the ground. Both laughing, he steadies me on his leg and crashes his lips to mine. The heat of this kiss is like a soldering iron, melding us together. Never to come apart again.
Until Brooks pulls away from the kiss. I attempt to chase his lips, but he pushes me back with a laugh. “Hold on a second,” he says, guiding me back to the bench. Then he slips the ring onto my shaking finger. “I gotta make this official,” he adds with a sly grin.
“And I have one more thing,” he says, pulling a paper bag out from under the bench. “Thank goodness no one came along and stole this.”
He pulls a shoe box out of the bag and opens it, just like the ring box. Inside is the pair of white Dunk Lows with the pink swoosh he had sent me for my birthday.
“I was hoping you might wear these to walk down the aisle, Sneaks,” he says, grinning widely. “I’m hoping we might rekindle some old traditions along with the new ones.”
I reach forward to cup his face in my hands. “Everything with you. I love you, Brooks Murphy.”
“Congratulations!” a crowd of voices screams as we walk through the door of my mom’s house. There’s a huge “You’re Engaged!” banner hanging on the wall and people filling every available inch of space.
I scream and bounce up and down with excitement, jumping back into Brooks’ arms. “You planned a party?!” I yell at him over the cheering voices.
“We’re talking Team Breegan here—of course, there’s a party!” he replies with a grin.
My mom rushes to wrap her arms around me. After squeezing her back, I clap my hands and grin as I scan the faces. Our families are here, including Sonya’s kids and grandchildren. Everyone from our church small group stands together holding “Team Breegan” signs (except for Will’s “Teeks” sign). I see Rylen and Brody, Brooks’ teammates from college, as well as some of his teaching colleagues. I take in a smiling Bailey, all of the Arrow staff, and several students from my Bible studies. My elation turns to tears of joy when I see Lana and Mateo standing by Amaya.
Throwing my arms around my Beefs, I give in to the swell of emotions. “Lana! What are you doing here?! You have your graduation in one week! You don’t have time to be here!”
“Yeah, right, like I was going to miss my best friend’s engagement party over some silly graduation ceremony,” Lana says in my ear, still crushing me in a group hug along with Amaya. “Besides, Mateo has been dying to see Brooks again,” she adds in a teasing tone.
I see Mateo giving Brooks a bro hug when I finally pull back. A happy giggle escapes at the sight.
“Beefs for life,” Amaya says, squeezing my arm. “Forallof life.”
After another long hug, I make the rounds to talk (and happily squeal) with everyone who came to celebrate with us. I show off the ring, and Brooks and I take turns sharing the proposal story. I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the room when Brooks explains why he chose the location of the proposal. But he doesn’t shy away from the emotion, bittersweet as it is. I wrap my arms around him, holding space for grief together, even amid the elation of today.
Because this is just one of many moments when our happiness will be tinged with sorrow. When joy will be shaded with heartache. When hope will be stained with doubt. When disappointment will be streaked with levity.
It’s us against everything, together.
Always.
