"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Lennox. Happy birthday to you!"

Cassie and I stood behind Lennox in her high chair. She was loving all the attention. When the singing finished, we leaned down and helped her blow out her candle. Our daughter was a year old.

After graduation, time flew by. It was the greatest time ever.

Cassie and I sat with Lennox and helped her open gifts.

She got clothes, a baby doll, walking toys, and more. Way more stuff than a one year old needed.

Cassie and I are renting an apartment. We don't sleep in the same room since we are still dating. We just needed our own space for our family.

.................

Christmas came and it was perfect. It was our first one as a family. We had a one year old whom we adored, and we had family who supported us.

I was alone with Cassie. I took this time to surprise her with my final gift.

I took her outside our apartment. I held her hand and looked into her eyes. "Cassandra Marie Chandler, I love you more than you will ever know. You came to me when I needed you most. You have always been there for me, and we have been through thick and thin. We have went through more than married couples have. I want all my today's and tomorrow's spent making you happy. I want to wake up and see you smiling next to me. I want to be the father of your children. I want to buy a house with you and watch our family grow." I pulled out a box and dropped to my knee. She began to cry.

"This isn't another promise ring," I assured her. "This is the real thing. Cassandra Marie Chandler? Will you make me the happiest man on earth and become my wife?"

She cried and laughed at the same time. She nodded her head, "yes, yes, yes."

I removed her promise ring and put the real one in place. I kissed her fingers, and she pulled me up.

"Wade Malachi Bentley," she began. "I love you more than words can say. I love that daughter of ours just the same. I would be beyond happy to be your wife and spend every day making you happy."

I kissed her. Our life was complete. It was perfect.