His black fedora was pulled down slightly over his eyes. Alfred laughed quietly as his girlfriend poked his arm. She must have thought he was sleeping. Without warning Alfred quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her neck. She slapped his arm lightly as she laughed. Alfred pulled the fedora off his head and placed it on the ground next to his chair.

In a mocking tone Alfred said, “My dearest Louise, how are you on this marvelous sunny afternoon in Phily?” Louise rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek. “Not going to answer, are we my love?” Louise simply shook her head and leaned into him.

The sun had reached its full peak in height about an hour ago and had already begun its slow decent into the distant horizon. As night came around Alfred picked his loved fedora and placed it back over his short brown hair. Similarly as he stood he picked up Louise who was still sitting on his lap. She wrapped her thin arms around his shoulders. Kissing the top of her head Alfred stood her upright on the ground.

Together the two walked out into the slowly darkening night. It was still warm and didn’t feel like it was getting any colder. Louise loved how the sun felt on her bare arms, the way the wind blew her hair back, and feel of Alfred’s hand in hers.  They took this walk once a week, just to enjoy nature and the company each other offered. At the end of their walk they would stop at a bench that they had carved their initials into a few years ago. They would always sit in silence and just appreciate everything. Sometimes Alfred would bring his journal and Louise her sketch book. Mostly they just sat.

Alfred and Louise reached the small red bench and sat down. There was a large river that flowed behind the bench. Louise believed that the noise of the fast current is what made the place so calming.

Alfred played with his fedora and something in his pocket. They sat for a long time until finally Alfred took the fedora off his head and threw it into the river behind them. Louise jumped up and tried to run after the fedora, but Alfred held her back. When she turned to look at him he was getting down on one knee. Holding her hand he pulled out a small black box. He open the box, inside was a simple ring. Nothing to fancy, the ring was petite, the diamond no bigger than a small pebble.

“Until just a few days ago I believed that my fedora was my most important possession. Something great happened though, I opened my eyes. I saw this beautiful girl who loves the sun and the wind and wants nothing more than to spend her time with me. I realized that she was the most important thing in my life. That fedora is just a hat and it can be replaced. This space in my hand where you’re hand fits perfectly couldn’t enclose anyone’s but yours. Will you keep your hand in mine? Will you enjoy a million more sunny days with me? Will you, Louise, marry me?”

Tears swelled up in Louise’ eyes as she feel to her knees and hugged her love. She couldn’t believe how happy she was to finally say, “Yes.”