My mother spots my father recording her and turns towards the camera. “¡Hola! Mira Evan, turn around and smile for the camera.” A shy Evan half turns and waves.
My mother looks so happy, she’s glowing with life.
“Look mi amor, Evan here has been helping me in the kitchen all night! I swear to you, by the time I’m done with this young man, he’s going to be a better cook than any of the women here, mark my words.” She smiles down at him, and he beams at her.
My eyes are watery, witnessing this exchange between Evan and my mom. I look over to Evan, and he mouthsI love youto me.
The video has been edited because now it cuts to a different year. Evan looks at least eighteen and it's now New Year’s Eve. He’s cooking in the kitchen with my mother. She turns and waves to the camera as Evan is hyper focused on the chicken he’s sautéing on the stove.
“Evan turn around and wave to the camera! Say ‘Happy New Year!’” my mom says as she does a little dance. She then turns her attention back to the stove and it’s hard to hear what she's saying, but I can tell she’s giving him instructions on what to do next with the chicken. My heart swells seeing them interact this way.
The video cuts once more, and now Evan seems to be in his early twenties, most definitely in college. He’s again in the kitchen, but this time surrounded by all of the Tías. Everyone is drinking while he’s focused on not burning the tostones.
“¡Feliz Navidad!” All the women cheer. Then my mother grabs Evan by the shoulders and playfully turns him around to face the camera. “Look everyone. Say hi to Evan! Did you know that he helps me cook at every family event? I’ve taught him everything he knows!” All the women laugh as they look at Maggie, Evan’s mother.
“I’m not going to correct you, cooking is not my thing! Keep teaching him so he can keep feeding me the good stuff!” Maggie laughs. My mother hugs her playfully, then goes back to Evan.
“Evan is such a sweetheart, and so handsome. Maggie you can suck at cooking given that you’ve raised such an amazing young man.” Evan blushes as my mother gives his arm a squeeze.
“Mira, escúchame,” my mother continues. “Mark my words,” she starts, pointing to the camera. “The woman who ends up marrying Evan will be the luckiest woman on the planet! This one right here, just give him a couple of years, but he is husband material, ladies.” She pinches one of his cheeks and he finally turns away to pay attention to the plantains on the stove. My mother laughs hysterically and pats him on the back. “I’m sorry to embarrass you, but you’re like a son to me, it comes with the territory!” She smiles and tips her champagne glass towards the camera.
The screen goes black.
Only now do I realize that I’ve been holding my breath this entire time, and that everyone is staring at me.
“Amelia, care to join me up here?” Evan asks with glassy eyes.
Nikki must catch his words before I do, because she is on her feet and lifting me off the couch in a second. I make my way over to Evan and I’m pretty sure I’m starting to realize what’s about to happen.
He takes my hands in his and kisses me on the forehead. Oh how I’ve learned to love these forehead kisses.
“Amelia, I have loved you for a very long time. And recently, my opportunity to love you forever was almost taken from me. I know that today is a somber day. A day in which we will always take a moment to grieve and remember your mother. But I also want today to be something else. The day you remember as the one where your mother gave me her blessing to marry you.” He gets down on one knee and the women in the apartment release a collective screech, as the men quickly hush them.
“Little Miss Amelia.” He grins. “I never thought I’d actually see the day.” One of his hands goes into his jean pockets and pulls out a small black velvet box.
My knees are already wobbling with anticipation. This is such a formality when I’m already dying to say yes and promise to love him for the rest of my life.
“Amelia Nuñez, would you do me the greatest honor … will you marry me?” He opens the ring box quickly. I’m about to ignore the ring completely just so I can jump into his arms, but then freeze.
The ring.
It’s a massive radiant cut diamond. And it’s stunning. But that’s not what catches my eye at first, shockingly.
The huge diamond is placed on a thin gold band.
My mother’s wedding band. The one I took off of her myself a year ago, today.
A piece of my mother forever intertwined with a piece of Evan.
It’s perfect.
“For Christ’s sake Amelia stop ogling the ring and tell the man yes already before I have to start performing CPR on the poor bastard,” Antonio teases from the couch.
“Shit. Yes! Yes! Of course, a thousand times yes!” I yell.
Evan quickly slides the ring on my finger and raises to his feet to kiss me.
The whole apartment erupts into cheers and tears.
