Just Now I Thought to Myself, You and I Must Be Some Kind of Misfit Family

*Diary Entry 12th June 2024*

I caught myself thinking todayperhaps our family is all wrong.

“Its so good to have you,” William said, pulling his wife into an embrace.

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

“Who else would I be with?” he laughed. “Only you. Youre my fate. The best woman in the world.”

Emily said nothing, just kissed his cheek and hurried to the kitchen to take the pie from the oven.

Today, the Wilsons celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. Theyd decided to keep it simplejust them and their two children, James and Sophie. James was in Year 11, while Sophie had recently graduated from university, started a job, and moved into her own flat nearby.

Emily had protested at first. “Why waste money on rent? Youve got your own room here, and we all get along. Wait till you marry, then move out.”

“Mum, I love you and Dad dearly, and I know youd never push me out,” Sophie replied, smiling. “But I want to try living on my own. Anddont take this the wrong waybut you cook *too* well. Those pies? Ill turn into a whale if I stay. Youre luckyyou eat and stay slim. I didnt inherit that! Ive got to watch my figure, and thats impossible under your roof. Who could resist your treats?”

Emily had chuckled, studying her daughter. Sophie looked nothing like her. Emily was petite, almost waifish, still mistaken for a teenager from behind. She never bothered with makeup, tied her hair in a simple ponytail, and dressed plainly. Sophie, though, was strikingtaking after William.

William had always been handsome. Tall, broad-shouldered, though age had softened his edges. Not surprising, given Emilys baking. Even at forty-eight, he turned heads.

Emily knew she faded beside him. Shed long grown used to whispers behind her backbut she didnt care. To her husband, she was the most beautiful woman alive.

***

Theyd met when Emily was twenty, William twenty-two.

That September afternoon, university student Emily was heading to her friend Charlottes birthday party. Shed bought a gift in advance but stopped at a florist for a small bouquet. Inside, the only other customer was a young man*gorgeous*, the sort youd see in films.

He noticed her and asked, “Which bouquet do you prefer? The red roses or the peonies?”

Startled, Emily flushed. “Id pick peonies, though most girls prefer roses.”

The florist chimed in, “And what does your girlfriend like?”

“My girlfriend?” He laughed. “I dont even know the girl these are for. My mates dragging me to his cousins birthday. Cant show up empty-handed.”

Emily suggested roses”You cant go wrong.”

“Do *you* like them?” he asked.

She stammered, “II prefer wildflowers, really.”

His face lit up. “So do I. My mum picks them from the meadow near our cottage. Theres something magical about themhumble, but stunning if you look closely.”

He bought the roses but smiled at Emily as he left.

The florist sighed. “What a looker! Bet hes an actor.”

Emily agreeduntil she walked into Charlottes party and saw him there.

Turned out his name was William, and hed come with his friend Thomas, Charlottes cousin. He seemed just as surprised to see her. All evening, his eyes kept finding hers. When the music started, Charlotte pulled him to dancebut he returned to Emilys side afterward. Later, he insisted on walking her home.

Next day, Charlotte froze her out.

“Whats wrong?” Emily finally asked.

“*You* ruined it!” Charlotte snapped. “Thomas brought William *for me*. Id seen his photos, fancied himand you flirted all night, then dragged him off!”

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

“Right. Then whys he smitten with *you*?”

Emily spent the walk home wretched. *Him? Fancy *me*?* She stared in the mirror. “Whod want *this*?”

The phone rang.

Williams voice: “Meet me tonight?”

At the riverside, he waited with wildflowers. His smile made her heart flip.

Their romance began. No one believed it would last. “A man like that? Hell stray,” people whispered.

But William never looked elsewhere. A year later, they married.

Once, a decade in, Emily dared to ask: “Why me? You couldve had anyone.”

Hed seemed baffled. “How do you explain love? But if I mustyour eyes, your voice, your soul. Youre like those wildflowers you love. Your beauty doesnt shout. Not everyone sees it. But I didand Id never trade my favourite bloom for any rose.”

***

Tonight, their twenty-fifth anniversary dinner was warm and loud with laughter. The children toasted themthe best gift Emily and William could ask for.

At the tables centre sat a vase of wildflowers. He gave them to her every July for her birthday, and every anniversary.

In bed, Emily murmured, “William Ive been thinking. Were a wrong sort of family.”

“Why?”

“In twenty-five years, weve never once argued. Is that normal?”

He grinned. “Dyou *want* to argue?” Tickling her until she shrieked.

“No! No!”

“Good. Neither do I.” He kissed her.

*Lesson learned: Love isnt about perfectionits about finding someone who sees the wildflowers in you, even when others dont.*