Chapter Ten – The Promise

Caitlyn and Steven met every afternoon at the base of the lighthouse throughout the entire month of September. It became “their” special place; their private place only they knew where to find each other every day. That September was unseasonably warm in Michigan. It was quiet and the waters were calm for the majority of the month. Steven and Caitlyn were glad for the warm and calm waters, because it gave them time to spend together there, in their spot, a nook of the world they claimed their own – somewhere only they knew. None of their friends knew they escaped there every day. It became a safe haven for them, a place they could always go to escape when things got hard, confusing or when they needed to just be alone, away from everything. They loved it mostly because it was their escape to be together; their time to be wrapped in each others embrace, thoughts and hearts.

The second weekend of September always marked the annual West Michigan Kite Festival. It was a fun and brilliantly colorful weekend in Grand Haven. Kite enthusiasts, collectors and kiteboarders traveled from all around the country to attend and participate in the weekend’s activities. This weekend was very sunny and the wind picked up with the September gales as usual, making it perfect for kiting.

The variety of kites festooned the skyline along the lighthouse pier with fun shapes and colors in all sizes of directional flying mechanisms. Steven anxiously awaited Caitlyn’s arrival at the local kite shop in town. They’d planned to spend the day kiting in at the beach, so they were meeting there to pick out kites and grab lunch at one of their favorite local restaurants, The Rosebud.

“Steven,” Caitlyn shouted as she headed across the street, meeting him in a large hug embrace! “What a perfect day!” she was beaming. Her hop and step a little more jubilant than normal. She just came from the local jeweler in town, where she was planning an exciting surprise for Steven.

They entered The Mackinac Kite Co. store, picked out two kites for the day, and then went next door for lunch at The Rosebud. During their conversation Caitlyn spoke up, “Oh, Steven, we have to make sure we go and watch Jason in the King of the Great Lakes Kiteboarding competition. He is really excited about it this year. I told him we would take pictures of him too.” She began going on and on about Jason and his kiteboarding experience. Steven grew irritated with her excitement and interest in the whole idea, especially due to her past friendship with Jason.

“Caitlyn, when did you talk with Jason about the kiteboarding competition? Why do you have to take pictures for him? I am sure he has plenty of groupies who would gladly help him with his vanity shots and surfing hobby!” He was a bit harsh talking back at Caitlyn. “I’ve got other plans for us, I don’t want to waste a bunch of time watching Jason.” Caitlyn sensed jealous tension coming from Steven.

“Alright Steven, It’s not a big deal, really. He just mentioned it in math class, I only offered to take pictures as a nice gesture and as his friend. You know we are still friends. And we do have several classes together. But, hey, it’s really no big deal.” She shook her head as to brush the conversation off. “It’s not like he is expecting me to show up there to meet him.” She smiled softly back at Steven. Inside, she was a bit tickled to see his jealous side. “Let’s just have fun with our kites, and let the day take us where we want it to go.”

“Okay, sounds good.” Steven let out a sigh of relief. He too had been anticipating that afternoon with a surprise in mind for Caitlyn. He felt a little nervous and on edge. But, deep inside, he was not at all happy about the underlying friendship between Jason and Caitlyn. He wasn’t a student at there school, so he felt like an outsider and wished he could be Caitlyn more to see the interaction. He often worried about it at times.

They made their way down to the beach, launched their kites and enjoyed the afternoon amidst the flying contraptions hovering overhead. They found a nice spot on the beach, sat down and a blanket and enjoyed each other’s company. Jason spotted them across the beach as he made his way to launch his kite for the kiteboarding competition. He turned his head away immediately in discouragement and disappointment when he witnessed them kissing and laughing close with each other. He furrowed his brow and proceeded to put all of his frustration into the competition at hand. It bothered him that Caitlyn didn’t even come over to say hello before the start of the event.

The afternoon flew by. Steven and Caitlyn were completely encompassed in each other, and never even noticed the kiteboarding competition underway, drawing to an end. Then, as routine, they packed their belongings and walked along the pier to find their place at the lighthouse base. It was a welcomed comfort to be there together. Sitting at the base of the light now, wrapped in a blanket. The early evenings were growing much colder as September carried on.

“Caitlyn, I have something I want to ask you.” Steven spoke up as they both fixated their eyes on the sun setting off in the distance.

“Of course Steven, what is it?” She replied back.

Steven pulled a small box from his jacket and placed it into Caitlyn’s hands. “I know this may seem strange. Well,” he paused a moment, “Why don’t you just open it.” Caitlyn looked at Steven with much surprise and a bit of confusion. She slowly opened to box to reveal the most stunning stone set in a beautiful ring of diamonds.

“Steven?” She gasped for air, “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” She looked at him in surprise and complete happiness.

Steven smiled back at her, “It is a blue star sapphire, a rare stone.* When I saw it, I immediately thought of you. But then, I am always thinking of you.” He smiled at her with a bit of shyness. Caitlyn smiled joyfully back. “Listen, I know this may seem strange and really fast.” He paused again and looked out on to the sun setting in the distance, then looked back at Caitlyn intensely, “Caitlyn, you are a rare gem too, and I wondered if you could picture us married some day? I know this sounds crazy, and it is, and I know we are young, but…”

“Steven, are you asking me…” she interrupted and began to ask him a question in a confused undertone. Then, before she could even get a complete sentence out he interrupted her.

“Yes, I want you to be my wife. You know… maybe, someday? Would you ever think to consider me your husband?” He asked her in complete sincerity.

Caitlyn began to tear up, and just as her tears began streaming down her cheeks in happiness she replied, “Yes Steven, a thousand times, yes!”

He hugged her tight, looked her close in the eyes and asked her, “Will you wear this ring as my promise to you; my promise to marry you one day? I love you so much Caitlyn.” Steven looked at her intently, moved his head side to side and gushed with smiles as he glanced over her beautiful face, lips, nose and eyes in complete admiration. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” she hugged him as close as possible, “Yes, yes, yes! There is nothing in this world I want more than to be married to you. I love you my Steven!”

The moment was perfect. Steven placed the ring on her left ring finger. The star sapphire ring surrounded in a wave pattern of diamonds shined brightly in the brilliant reflections of the sunset bouncing off of the Lake Michigan waters below.

* Genuine Blue Star Sapphire Ring Enclosed with Wave Diamonds Pattern set in White Gold; Design: Copyright J. Marshon