Sarah’s sisters, Kristina and Heidi, were in kahoots with Bradley’s plan. He secretly hired a photographer, who was driven down to the cabin by the pond by Sarah’s brother-in-law, Jason. Meanwhile her other brother-in-law, Mike, provided a cheerful disposition and a Michelob Ultra to Bradley to calm his nerves. Fresh snow blanketed Kristina and Jason’s farm as Bradley led Sarah down a quiet path to the pond. She knew they’d be leaving soon for a nice sibling dinner downtown, but Bradley said he could use a venturesome stroll outside and Sarah would just love to show him the cabin by the pond in the back. It was almost Christmas Eve. Twinkling lights glistened in the gentle dimming glow of dusk, and the world was hushed in white.

By the water’s edge, he told her how much loves her, and how, from the very moment their eyes met, he knew it was her. Come hell or high water, it would always be her. Hands shaking not from the cold but from nerves. As she smiled at him, he dropped one knee onto the frozen ground.

 Sarah might have hardly heard, “Will you marry me?” before she began jumping in circles, utterly glee-ridden at the site of his honey-drop eyes, full of genuine love, looking up at her with the biggest grin on his face. 

 They’d found a silly kind of happiness together, and they’d never trade it for any other luxury. Even in another lifetime, she’d recognize him with her eyes closed. She’s always known him by heart. 

 Tears in her eyes, she shouted, “YES!” about 20 times before leaping into his arms. 
Snowflakes gently blanketed the world as they embraced, the quiet pond reflecting the beginning of forever.

 In Sarah’s family, it’s tradition among her siblings to, literally, scream the song Love Story by Taylor Swift with one another, especially at weddings. The soft, chilled breeze carried the voices of her sisters and nieces and nephew as they jumped around on the house’s back porch. They sang and sang, and it was to that song that Sarah and Bradley shared their first dance as an engaged couple, together, out there in the snow. 
 
• Hell or High Water •