Bebop

"We're gonna rock - around - the clock - tonight!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, let this year's Fifties theme dance off begin!"

Ladies on one side of the ballroom excitedly leaped up from their seats in fits of happy giggles.  Gentlemen on the other side of the ballroom dashed for their gals in eager shouts of joy.

Prim and proper.  Hyper and fun.  Always enjoy social perks.

They met on a blind date set up through  mutual friends and were encouraged to fall into a relationship with the approval of their parents.  At the end of their first date, he was a gentleman when taking her home.  He knew then, however, that she was the one to marry and love forever.  He was a gentleman to this day and always would be.  At the end of their first date, she expected him to follow social protocol.  She knew then, however, that he was the one and wrote in journal daily about how fondly she thought of him after every date and eventually into a relationship.

Tonight, then, would be rather special for the two.

The ladies giggled with joy.  The gentlemen roared joy.  The dance floor was filled with electric energy...

"I am having so much fun!  A new dress for this dance off special occasion with my best beau!"

"Six months strong, Lindy!  You look gorgeous and you are an amazing dancer, beyond the lessons we took!  Gosh, Lindy, I - I love you!"

"You what?"  She was thrown off guard.  She always doodled "I love you, my best beau" in her journal and secretly thought of saying how she felt first, despite social protocol.

The surroundings swirled in a blur.  Lindy's best beau, Johnny, was happily in love with his gal, but never told her how he felt.  He could never find the right time or the right setting.  He had the blessing of Lindy's mother and father, especially, to express his love to her and someday propose marriage.  Lindy was happily in love with Johnny and truly did want to tell him but could never find a way to do so while remaining womanly proper.  Perhaps now was in fact the best time and setting for the two to finally say "I love you."

The dance off was set in a Woolworth's grand opening-style background with jukebox playing non-stop as part of the 1950s theme.  To be certain, there was also a women's best dressed contest.

Lindy was the most favored.

Halter style, pink throughout and white polka dots, swing skirt...White leather pumps...White cashmere sweater jacket for the night's chill.

"Ladies!  The decision has been made!" A happy shout from the small panel of judges.

The gentlemen clapped for good luck for their gals and the ladies held hands for good luck for one another.

"All of you look beautiful, but after close debate, the best dressed lady is...Lindy Simpson!"

Cheers of congratulations filled the air.  There was no trophy, but the title meant more...including which couple would win the dance off.

One last round of dancing with Elvis Presley blasting in the background.

"We're gonna rock - around - the clock - tonight!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a dance off winning couple!"

Hopeful shouts.  Couples tightly holding hands in the chance of winning.

"The first annual dance off winning couple is...Lindy and Johnny!"

Cheers of congratulations filled the air.  There was still no trophy, but their close hug meant more.

The two love birds excitedly returned to the bebop, officially declared their love for one another when both said "I love you," and kissed in public for the first time (well, outside her home type of public).

The Proposal

Lauren and Danny met in their junior year of college.  Their common bond was a major in History and a love for United States history, especially during the 1960s.  This summer course is where they first met.  They were always first in the classroom, so they took the available time to talk about anything or quiz each other before an exam.  The way they made each other laugh, be sarcastic, be serious, listen intently, openly share personal subjects...They both wanted more than friendship after some time, but the question "Do you want to go out some time?" was never asked.  At the end of the course, she finished the final exam before he did and left knowing she may never see him again.  A summer friendship fling, she supposed.

Two years later, their paths crossed out of the blue.  She was finishing her undergraduate degree and he was working on his Master's thesis.

On one crisp and beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon, they bumped into each other just outside of her classroom.

"Oh sorry," she said without paying attention, head down.

"Lauren?"

She looked up to see him.  Her heart skipped a beat.  She couldn't believe this stroke of luck.

"Oh my gosh, Danny!  Hi."

"How are you...stranger?"

She lightly laughed and replied,

"Busy.  How are you?"

"Busy too.  The amount of work I have to put into my thesis is exhausting."

"Thesis.  Your Master's?"

"Yep."

"What is the subject matter?"

"Racial segregation in United States educational institutions as of Brown versus Board of Education."

"Impressive."

"Thank you.  Hey, um, do you want to get a cup of coffee or something some time?"

"Oh gosh, Danny, so much time as passed and I am really very busy.  Why didn't you ever ask me out then?"

"I...I was nervous.  I guess I was afraid I would wreck our friendship if I asked and you said no."

"I wouldn't have said no, Danny..."

She hesitated for a brief moment and replied,

"All right."

The cup of coffee lasted for hours...reminiscing, catching up, daydreaming their degree futures.  Their shared sense of humor was not lost.  Their respect of knowing when to be serious was not lost.  Track of time between then and now did not exist.  They were on the date meant to be so long ago.

Reminiscing led to a second date.

The second date led to more and into a relationship.

Lauren and Danny were meant to be, with shared interests and goals.  They made sense together.  They were perfect together.  They fell in love so many years ago, but never knew it.  Yet now they knew their love for each other was truly meant to be and in fact last.

On one crisp and beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon, on the campus where they first met, there was one question Danny needed to ask now -

"Lauren, will you marry me?"

Students passing by took notice and clapped for the couple's happiness.

She could not see the stunning diamond engagement ring for her swelling happy tears but could see him clear enough to say "Yes" and give him a loving yes.

Students stopping to clap for the couple's happiness collectively said "awe."

So many years ago, being asked out seemed to be the right question.  Now...the proposal was the perfect question.