It’s the ear-to-ear glowing smile she automatically made

Or the exchange of two magic words that

Tied it all together

Perhaps it was the months

Of preparation for the night

It all started

Maybe it was the years

Leading up to this moment.

Thousands of text messages,

Hundreds of phone calls,

Double-digit letters

But only one chance to take a kneel

The salty air blowing through her hair

A reminder of the beauty within

No, it had to of been the father’s blessing,

A grandmother’s greatest possession,

A mother’s overjoyed happiness

Leading up to the ultimate surprise

More so,

Memories created

Collections of photographs

Tears shed

Laughs out loud

Waves crashing on the shore

Love never forgotten

The exchange of two magic words

Building up to this single moment