Not too long ago, well maybe if you consider a hundred years long ago, a man and a woman were married on the 14th of February. It happened to be Valentine's Day. Her wedding was perfectly planned. She had arranged the flower decorations and the bridesmaid dresses. He had a way in the flavor of cake and frosting but the ultimate decision was hers. Every wedding between a man and a woman was lopsided. Few future husbands find any thrill of picking the right bouquet for their new bride to throw into the attendees after the ceremony has ended and before everyone makes their way to the celebratory dinner.
The following year on their first year of completed marriage, both husband and wife were overjoyed at the prospect of raising a child of their own. They had tried repeatedly but each time the bloom failed. On that day of February 14th, the woman's body felt different to her. She decided to take a pregnancy test and found joy in having to try not to urinate on her hand. Her husband would be so proud. They had finally fulfilled one of their goals in their marriage. Her mind went wild, imagining how precious her baby, and how her womb would be the most hospitable womb to ever exist.
When she told her husband of this great news, he could not contain himself. He jumped up and down like a pogo stick, unable to stop the whooping and hollering an excited man does when he hears he is going to be a father. He had a successful day at work and this was the icing on the cake. If he could have eaten it, he would have. Knowing his wife would have certain food cravings brought a smile to his face. He looked forward to picking up obscure foods for her and see her as a woman with uncontrollable cravings.
The following week, he made sure his wife had everything she needed. This was going to be a six-month journey together. They would support each other through the tough times and relish the good times. Neither of them thought what would happen if something unexpected occurred to either her or the baby along the way. They never wanted to know what sex their child was and after many ultrasounds, the doctor visits became routine for all involved. Her parents were overjoyed at learning they would be grandparents. His parents felt the same way. Steaming baths became essential to her wellbeing. Hot showers became solitude for him. Wrapping his arms around her at night, they slept peacefully. Each night, he told her, "I love you more every day." She replied with, "Together, we can make this place our little world."
As if fate had guided the man and woman to connect from far away and find an intimate place of comfort, their child was born on February 14th as the clock turned 12:01. The moon could be seen through the window and wanted the curtains pulled apart. Even if someone was spying on them with binoculars from across the way, she did not care. She focused on the moon's brightness are her child was preparing to enter her world. Her only request to the medical staff that early morning was for her husband to hold their baby first, girl or boy. She wanted her baby to know her dad would protect her or him, always.
The medical staff did not have to wait long for her baby to emerge from the warmth that was no longer a home. The baby cried when carried to her father. The new mother was pleased with how this delivery had turned out. She had wanted a girl and prayed silently to herself the baby would be a girl. It was not ignorant of her to feel this way. She simply wanted to finally name her baby after the woman she most admired. Her own mother was not alive but she would have been honored. Her heart was pounding with excitement. "Lavinia Swan, welcome to your new life," the new mom said.
Lavinia Swan grew each year and became a respectable adult like her mom. When she married, her dad walked her proudly down the wedding chapel aisle. Her husband was as loyal to her as her dad was with her mom. Even though her mom was not physically there, she was all around her. A faint image appeared in front of her soon-to-be husband. She heard her mom speak to her beyond the grave. This was only for her to hear. "Why is your father wearing that awful looking tie? You know how many other ties he has in his closet? And on your wedding day! Good grief!" She wanted to laugh but only nodded. Her dad thought his daughter was smiling because it was her wedding day. The moment she took another step, her mom disappeared.
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