Something wonderful happened in our barn last week.
My little sister got engaged!
A few days before, her now fiancé called me and said, “Leah, the barn is her happy place. She is happiest when she’s with her nieces and nephews, milking cows, or around animals.” Of course, we said yes he could ask her there — and then scrambled to make it special on short notice.
The girls and I swept out the hay, and they got to work on what they do best: a scavenger hunt. They’ve been making these for years, using their stuffed animals as clue givers, and Auntie has always been the world’s best sport about playing along. The last clue read: “Enough stuffed animals, we need something real, — lets go pet the calves, there will be the big reveal.”
We lit the barn with candles and white Christmas lights and hung scores of photos of them together, tied with pink ribbon from the rafters. Natalie hid in a stall with his camera to catch the whole thing.
It was so sweet. Benjamin and I have been on an emotional high — randomly dancing in the kitchen and just smiling with joy. We are so happy for them.
The girls, of course, immediately went into full wedding-planning mode — assuring Ruthie they are available for anything and everything she might need. And I believe them.
We are so excited for them, and so grateful this old barn gets to hold moments like this — that it is someone’s happy place. That says something, doesn’t it?
“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17
With great joy and anticipation,
Leah Matzke
