Sometimes in life you meet someone and know it was perhaps a
chance meeting but it leaves an indelible mark on your life. Such was the case with our dinner partners on
our recent cruise. What started out as a
meeting of strangers grew into a quick close friendship that we will be bonded
forever in a very special way.
Dinner time seems to be one of the highlights of any
cruise. Everyone seems to dress well,
especially on the formal nights, which on our cruise was two evenings. The waiters are so service minded, they
literally place dinner napkins on the lap of everyone seated for the meal. The
service received is beyond compare anywhere frankly.
Since we were traveling alone, we were anxious to see who we
would seated at our table. We wondered how many would there be, would it be
people that we would have anything in common with, couples or families,
etc. Much to our delight, on the first
night, we discovered it was a table for four and the other couple had the same
questions we had, reservations about who they would be seated with at meals.
Quickly conversation ensued between us after they arrived
and sat down on the first night. Each
evening, thereafter, we found ourselves looking forward to dinnertime. We discovered our rooms were literally a few
doors down from each other. Thus, over
the seven days, we began seeing each other over other meals and running into
each other off and on. We even went on an
excursion together and shopping in a port also.
Sharing stories of our lives during
this together time was a wonderful part of our vacation with both of them.
Len and Sylvia had been dating for a few years. Sylvia had met Len not long after her husband
had died in the line of a duty. Tony, her deceased husband, was a police
officer who worked undercover often. He
was recognized one day on a motorcycle and killed, ran over by one of the drug
rings he had busted. Sylvia had been
devastated but known his occupation put him at high risk. Her children helped her move on and that,
combined with her job, and her circle of friends was a major step in recovering
from the loss of her beloved husband.
She met Len partially because they had so many shared
interests and had mutual friends. Dating seemed to naturally evolve and
progressed into traveling together as they both shared a passion for that as
well. Over time, they became familiar with each other’s grown children and
life’s stories. Len was a retired police
officer who had moved into detective work and worked high level assignments
prior to retiring from the force. This
background really aided his understanding in Sylvia’s sense of loss over her
husband. Their relationship was very
cozy, fun and they were just easy to be around.
Both are good people, kind-hearted and interesting lives.
Over our time spent together, we all four shared so many
stories of our experiences over the years as we were all close in age. Sylvia, like me, was a cancer survivor. After losing her husband and then, soon after
starting her relationship with Len, she had been diagnosed with cancer. Thus, she began aggressive treatment. Both of them had their share of hardships in
life as most of us have as we have lived our lives. The longer you live, the more experiences you
garnish, some good, some bad but all stepping stones to who we become as we age.
Two days before the cruise was over, Len asked us to join
them for a special dinner the last night of the cruise at an exclusive restaurant
on the ship. That night, dinner was
outstanding and at the conclusion, a magician came to our table. He put down a small black box and said he
wanted to show us a magic trick. He then
lifted the lid to show a numbered die and so, the trick proceeded from there.
At the conclusion of this magic trick with the box, which he
had used Len as the participant; we all were amazed at the trickery! When he left the table, Len made a surprise
announcement to us. He told us that he
also performed magic tricks on occasion. He asked Sylvia to affirm this which she
readily did with a head nod. Then he
told us he was going to perform one right there on the spot.
He turned to Sylvia and told her she had never seen this one
yet. He said he was saving this for a special night. He went on to say that with new friends they
both were so fond of; it seemed a perfect setting to show it. He pulled out a black box, and said that before he
would make anything disappear, he wanted to let her see what was in it. With that, he bent on one knee beside Sylvia,
where he was seated, opened the box and we all gasped. There was a
breath-taking sparkling diamond engagement ring!
Yes, it was magical!
Sylvia began to cry. Len told her
that he loved her so much and wanted to marry her. He said it was important to
him that he do it in a special way that was magical and with special witnesses that she would always remember.
We were speechless.
Waitresses came up with champagne glasses as Sylvia pulled the ring out
of the box and kissed Len saying yes through tears! He looked at us asking us
how we liked his magic trick. Pretty
impressive I think one of us uttered.
Sometimes on a vacation you meet strangers and experience
life changing moments that you will never forget. Our trip was one of them. As
we told both of them that night, we were honored to be a part of their
story! And we will never ever worry
again about who we might meet at dinner. Sylvia and Len were the best part of
the meal and they weren’t listed on the menu!
God Bless their future nuptials!
