Thanksgiving with a Romantic

We pulled up in the driveway, got out of the car and began walking toward her mother’s empty house, when suddenly she turned to face me and while touching me gently she said, “Wait here.” I immediately remembered a few words that she had said earlier that morning while we were going to her dad’s house, sitting in the back seat of her sister’s car: “I have a surprise for you.” So, there I was standing in the driveway of my future mother-in-law’s house, trying to figure out what it was that Melissa, my fiancée, was doing inside.

“Maybe she bought a new outfit or a dress for a special occasion. That seems odd. Hmm, I never noticed before that this carport has a wood paneled ceiling.”

My mind had begun to wander as I looked up at the darkening sky and then down at the ground where tiny ants were systematically going about their work as I listened to the sounds coming from inside the house: quick footsteps going back and forth and a kitchen drawer opening and then closing.

I was not feeling so well. I am sure that you felt the same on Thursday. We had just come back from Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. There were about fifteen people there and try as we might, one could hardly tell that we had decreased the size of the generous piles, plates and dishes of food that had been prepared—enough for at least fifty hearty eaters. I was beginning to feel the rolls, deep fried turkey, blackberry pie and brownies that had settled themselves somewhat uncomfortably into my crowded stomach.

The lights inside the house became dark. Having finished whatever it was that she was doing, Melissa now stood at the door and said, “You can come in.” I followed her into the house. She stopped and pushed a button on a boom box and Nat King Cole’s voice followed us into the front room where the Christmas tree glowed and lit candles scattered light about the room.

“Would you like to dance?” Melissa asked.

“Sure,” I said as we drew close together. I started to laugh. I do not know exactly why. I was surprised at the experience that she had so carefully created.

“Are you laughing at me?” she said.

“No, I’m just happy, happy that you would think about me; happy that you would do this for me,” I answered.

We danced.

Suddenly, the door swung open and her cousin came trotting in carrying some folding chairs. Embarrassed, we quickly let go of one another, turned off Nat King Cole and blew out the candles.

“I’m sorry” Melissa said.

“It’s okay,” I replied.

We finished helping her cousin unload the chairs. He left and we re-lit the candles, turned off the lights and turned on Mr. Cole.

We danced. We looked into each others eyes. We sat down on the couch. We drank fruit cool-aid out of wine glasses and talked about how thankful we were for each other. Soon everyone began returning home and our time was finished.

I am thankful for Melissa. I am thankful for her thoughtfulness, for her love and for a few romantic moments at the end of a Thanksgiving Day.