Just Had a Thought—Maybe We’re One of Those Odd, Mismatched Families, You and Me

Just now, I was thinking that you and I must be the most unusual family,” said Emily, snuggling closer to her husband.

“Its so lovely to have you,” James replied, wrapping his arms around her.

“And Im happy to have you!” Emily smiled.

“Who else would I be with?” James laughed. “Only you. Youre my destinythe most wonderful woman in the world.”

Emily didnt answer. Instead, she kissed his cheek and hurried to the kitchen to take the cake out of the oven.

Today, the Harrisons were celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. Theyd decided to keep it simple, just the two of them and their childrenOliver, a sixteen-year-old schoolboy, and their daughter, Sophie, whod recently graduated from university, started her first job, and moved into her own flat.

“But why waste money on rent?” Emily had protested when Sophie first mentioned moving out. “Youve got your own room here, we all get alongwhy leave now? Wait until youre married!”

“Mum, I love you and Dad so much, and I know youd never force me out,” Sophie had replied. “But I want to try living independently. And dont take this the wrong way, but your cooking is too delicious. If I stay, Ill turn into a balloon! Youre luckyyou stay slim no matter what you eat. I didnt inherit that!”

Emily had smiled. Sophie looked nothing like her. Emily was petite, almost delicate, with an unremarkable face. She rarely wore makeup, tied her hair back in a simple ponytail, and dressed plainly. Sophie, on the other hand, had inherited her fathers striking looksJames was tall, broad-shouldered, and still handsome at forty-eight, despite a little extra weight from years of Emilys baking.

Emily had long grown used to whispers behind her back about how odd they looked together. But it never bothered hershe knew that to James, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

***

When Emily first met James, she was twenty, and he was twenty-two.

It was a crisp September day, and Emily, a university student, was on her way to her friend Charlottes birthday party. Shed already bought a gift but stopped at a florist for a small bouquet.

Inside, the only other customer was a young man, browsing the flowers. The shop assistant, a pretty girl, was offering suggestions, glancing at him with clear interest. Emily stole a look too and understood whyhe was breathtaking.

“Someone like him belongs in films,” she thought. “Maybe he is an actor.”

Just then, the young man noticed her and asked, “Which bouquet do you prefer? The red roses or the peonies?”

Flustered, Emily stammered, “Id choose the peonies, though most girls like roses.”

“And what does your girlfriend like?” the assistant asked him.

“My girlfriend? Oh, noI dont even know the girl Im buying these for!”

The assistant and Emily exchanged puzzled looks.

“A friend dragged me to his cousins birthday,” he explained. “Didnt want to show up empty-handed.”

“If you take roses, you cant go wrong,” Emily suggested.

“Do you like them?” he asked suddenly.

Emily blushed. “I love wildflowers most, but roses are nice too.”

“FunnyI prefer wildflowers as well,” he said. “My mum always brings them home from the countryside. Theres something special about themhumble at first glance, but stunning when you look closer.”

He bought the roses, flashed Emily a smile, and left.

“Handsome, isnt he?” the assistant sighed. “Like a movie star.”

Emily agreed, bought a small bunch of daisies, and headed to Charlottes.

Her shock was real when she saw the same young man at the party. His name was James, and hed come with his friend Daniel, Charlottes cousin.

James was just as surprised to see her. All evening, he kept glancing her way, smiling. Emily fidgeted, unsure why such a gorgeous man would pay her attention. Eventually, he sat beside her, and they talkedabout what, she couldnt remember now.

Charlotte shot her sharp looks. Later, when James danced with Charlotte, he kept glancing back at Emily. When she left, he insisted on walking her home.

The next day, Charlotte ignored Emily at university.

“Whats wrong?” Emily finally asked.

“You really dont know?” Charlotte snapped. “Daniel brought James for me! Id seen his photos, and I liked him. Then you flirted with him all night and stole him!”

Emily was stunned. “I didnt flirt! I dont even know how!”

But Charlotte stormed off.

That evening, Emily stared at her reflection. “Whod want someone like me?”

Then the phone rang.

It was James.

They met by the river, where he waited with a bouquet of wildflowers. One look at his smile, and Emily knewshe was in love.

Their romance shocked everyone. No one believed a man like James would truly fall for plain, quiet Emily. But he never looked at anyone else.

A year later, James proposed.

Ten years into their marriage, Emily finally asked, “Why me? You couldve had any beautiful woman.”

James looked puzzled. “How do you explain love? But if I mustI fell for your eyes, your voice, your soul. To me, youre the most beautiful woman alive. Like a wildfloweryour beauty doesnt shout. Not everyone sees it. But I did, and Id never trade you for the grandest rose.”

***

Their anniversary dinner was warm and happy. Oliver and Sophie toasted them, and in the centre of the table sat a simple bouquet of wildflowersJamess tradition for Emilys July birthday and their wedding anniversary.

That night, as they lay in bed, Emily whispered, “James, we must be the most unusual family.”

“Why?”

“In twenty-five years, weve never had a single argument. Is that even normal?”

“Do you want to argue?” James teased, tickling her.

“No, no!” she laughed, squirming away.

“Then neither do I,” he said, kissing her.