(March 1935: Lincoln County, West Virginia)
Birthdays are a special time in our family. The past seven months were quite an adventure for us as a family. We never forgot the Lord’s faithfulness throughout life and its rocky roads. We were especially grateful for the love of family and friends. The Great Depression was at its worst, but we weren’t wanting for anything. I long looked forward to my sixteenth birthday, and today was the day. I was ready for whatever great adventure came my way. Frank and I had grown quite close as friends and decided we wanted to be together. Frank has taught me to not be afraid of living life to the fullest. He’s the sweetest, most compassionate guy I’ve jever known. His love has been one of my greatest blessings. You just never can tell what surprises he might have up his sleeve. Mama and my sisters put together a little birthday dinner for me at the house. Frank, Mr. Lemaster, and his brothers all came. It was crowded in our tiny shack, but the evening was full of love. Little did I know what was in store. The night’s meal consisted of a poor man’s feast: ground beef, corn, and potatoes. A perfect meal for an evening of celebration.
“Georgia, you did good.” mama said, finishing her last bite of food. “I’m stuffed!” Mama looked tired but thankful. Jack and Will were the last to finish their meals. She rose from her seat to begin cleaning up the mess.
“Oh, mama I’ll get that, don’t worry about it..” Georgia said with a wave. “And thank you, I was nervous about yall likin’ it”. Georgia’s green eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
“Happy Birthday, Mel!” she shouted happily. Everybody started singing “Happy Birthday” to me at once. I felt the heat of slight embarrassment rush to my face. Frank held my hand as the song came to a finish.
“Thanks for invitin’ us over,” Pete said with a smile.
“You’re always welcome here, “ mama replied.
“I thought you two were gonna talk a walk?” Mr. Lemaster said as he sat facing Frank and me.
“Uh, we will shortly..” Frank began to look a little nervous. I wasn’t used to seeing him like this.
“Oh, go on..get out of here!” he smiled reassuringly. “We’ll still be here when ya get back.”
“Alright, come on Mel!” Frank and I got up to leave the table, as he took his hand in mine. We were out the door in minutes.
“Do ya think she has a clue?” Mr. Lemaster said with a laugh.
“Knowin’ her, I don’t reckon so, but I’m sure this will be her best birthday yet!” mama said. “She’s been through so much the past few years, but the Lord has been so faithful. It’s amazing to watch those two together.” she continued with a sigh of contentment.
“I know it,” Mr. Lemaster replied.
Evening walks are something that Frank and I enjoy. I could tell something was eatin’ at him, though I didn’t know quite what it was. I couldn’t help but notice the way the gentle breeze moved his blonde hair. He was six feet tall and strong as an ox and had the deepest green eyes you’d ever see. I love his zest for life. There was nothing not to love about him. After a long while, he stopped walking and gently pulled me closer to him.
“So, I’ve done a lot of thinkin’...” he began softly.
“About what?” I said.
“Well, we’ve been in each other’s lives for a good while now, and we get along real good,” he said, pausing to take a breath. “I was wonderin’ if you’d be my wife...I don’t have a lot, but I’d try to give you the world.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Oh, yes!” I said, shouting with glee. We continued our walk into town and got married that same evening. Frank always had the best surprises in store. He told me that he had been planning this for a few weeks. Our families had given him their blessings.
That’s why everyone was so eager for us to leave. The remembrance brought a smile to my face.
Happiness soon filled my heart as Frank and I exchanged vows and headed back home. Our families greeted us with open arms as soon as they saw us come in the door, all saying congratulations at once. I couldn’t believe that they had managed to pull this surprise over on me. The great adventure of life was only just beginning for us. We moved into a shack down the road from mama and nine months later welcomed an unexpected little blessing into our lives. Mavarine was the most beautiful brown-eyed baby girl who filled our hearts full of unconditional love and even more adventure. I couldn’t wait to see what else God had in store for our little family.
“And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I would make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
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