I have been married for four decades.”
I smiled.
Their wedding anniversary was October fourteenth.
I’d seen their wedding photograph hanging in our family hallway for as long as I could remember.
Mom wore a dramatic white gown with enormous sleeves.
Dad had a dark mustache and a nervous smile.
“We’ve never really celebrated properly,” Mom continued. “Not with a beautiful party. We spent so many years putting our daughters first.”
I didn’t comment.
Then came the familiar request.
“You’ve always been wonderful at arranging these things, Olivia. Could you take care of something special for us?”
I closed my eyes.
“Of course, Mom.”
Her voice immediately brightened.
“Oh, sweetheart, I knew I could count on you! Nothing extravagant. Just something elegant.”
I knew exactly what she meant.
So I got to work.
For three weekends, I visited restaurants and private event venues around Dayton.
I compared menus, seating arrangements,
