Written on the Wall

For as long as James could remember, every time you went to Papa's house he took your height and marked it on his wall. Papa liked seeing how his kids and grandkids grew. James loved looking at that wall, dotted with little lines followed by names and ages.

He also loved that when one of the in-laws became family, their height got added to the wall. Because there was only one rule: this wall was for family only. James had seen just a few of his closest friends get added as a show of belonging.

His girlfriend Becky was just about learn all about this tradition. James brought her to meet his Papa during their second summer together on a family trip.

"Papa, meet Becky, my girlfriend," James introduced them, and Becky offered her hand.

Papa ignored the handshake and gave her a hug. “Finally! I get to meet ya. This boy can't stop talking about you!"

James blushed, only slightly embarrassed.

Becky giggled and kissed his cheek. "All good things, I hope." Becky smiled as she pulled back to look at Papa.

“Only the best,” he said with a wink. "Now come, let me give you a tour of my home." Papa walked them through the house, telling them stories of his kids, taking a few moments to embarrass James.

Then he reached the family room, and Becky instantly noticed the marks on the wall.

"What's all this?" She pointed.

"Ah, my favourite tradition," Papa said fondly. James stood against the wall, and Papa marked his unchanging height.

“Every visit." James smiled.

"So wait, all of these marks are from one of your kids?" Becky asked.

"Kids, grandkids, adopted family…the ones who married in," he teased with a wink.

Both kids blushed and quickly left the room.

Later on a walk together, Becky went on and on about how cute and sweet the tradition was.

"I think it's his way of keeping everyone close. We all live far away, so I think it helps him out." James smiled, taking Becky's hand.

"I think that's great. I'm glad I got to come this summer and meet all your family." Becky swung her arm back and forth.

"I am too." James smiled happily.

The two made it through college as a couple; both of them got their degrees and then started the job hunt. James found work first and then it was Betty's goal to find a place and job near him. But until that happened, they agreed they would settle for trips on long weekends.

James' work schedule wouldn't allow him to go on the traditional family trip that year. So he and Becky decided to go see Papa on one of their weekend visits together.

The three went fishing, had campfires and went thrift shopping. Papa enjoyed the company, and James and Betty enjoyed the freedom from their grown-up world. After an early morning fishing trip, Betty took a nap and James and Papa sat to play a game of crib.

"So my boy, tell me, what ya waiting on?" Papa said with a smile as he dealt the cards.

"Waiting on?" Jame asked, feigning innocence.

"Don't play dumb with me, boy. " Papa gave him a look.

James sighed. "I can't find the right ring - everything is too flashy or too plain. She needs something just right."

Papa set his cards down and walked into his bedroom.

James wasn't sure if he should follow or not. But just as he set his cards down, Papa walked back into the room and sat down. He slid a red velvet box across the table.

James knew this box. His grandma took it on every trip and it always sat on her nightstand. "Papa..." James was shocked. "Are you sure?"

"She always told me she wanted one of you kids to propose with it. And you seem like you need it." He gestured for James to open the box.

James slowly lifted the lid, smiling as he remembered his grandmother. She would have loved Becky. He looked at the simple yet stunning ring his papa had asked his grandmother with all those years ago. "She'll love it Papa, thank you."

"You'll want to get it sized and maybe polished. Gives you time to plan your romantic gesture.” Papa winked as he picked up his cards.

In the next couple of weeks, James got the ring sized and polished, and then he thought about his proposal. Becky needed something perfect... And one day, the perfect idea hit him.

A few weeks later, he found a way to take a couple of days off and convinced Becky to join him for one last summer trip to visit Papa. They arrived late in the afternoon.

"So Becky,” James glanced at her as he parked in the drive. “I lied."

She gave him a look.

"This trip wasn't my idea, it was Papa’s. He has a surprise for ya."

"Oh! Well, that's lovely." She smiled.

"Cover your eyes, no peeking. We'll unpack later." James led her through the house, not saying a word. Becky wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign. But she played along. James stopped walking and turned her around. "Wait here."

She heard the two men whispering along with other sounds that she couldn't identify.

"Alright Becky, open your eyes.” Papa's voice greeted her.

When she did, she saw she was standing in front of the wall of heights. She took a step back, confused. Then she saw it; while her eyes had been closed, Papa had added her height to the wall. "Papa, you must be mistaken - James hasn't asked me to marry him yet."

Papa smiled softly. "Oh no, I know, dear girl. But I count you as family." He stepped aside to reveal James down on one knee.

“James!" Becky gasped and immediately tackled him before he could even speak.

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