It's has been a year and almost 4 months since my mother died of cancer. I knew the time would come when my dad wanted to date again, he had done his grieving but it was time he found someone to be with so he wasn't alone. My high school counselor who we had known for about 5 years also goes to my church. Her husband was killed about 10 years ago and left her with two boys who are now in high school. My mother was friends with her, not close, but close enough she knew her personality. Before my mother died she had told 2 people, her mom (my grandmother) and a close friend of hers that if she died she would want my dad to date her. This alone shows how great of a person my mom was, I don't know if I could have the nerve to tell who I would want my husband to love after I was gone. It astounds me. Recently, back in February my grandma and the friend decided it was time to tell my dad their secret they had been holding for over a year. My dad was shocked, but actually thought of the idea. He knew her and had we had actually been over to her house for dinner a few times, but he never thought he would date her. Finally he asked her out, just to see how things would go. Go, they did. They began going out a couple times a week which turned into a few more times. Now they do everything together and my dad told me and my siblings that things were getting serious. Last week they went ring shopping, which means only one thing. Marriage. I guess when you're older you know what you want so why wait? you're not getting any younger. It's a good thing I like her boys, they are some of the nicest people I have met! I think God and my mom are orchestrating everything from above and it's working out perfectly. They hope to marry in July but get engaged in April so they have a couple months to plan a small wedding. As for living arrangements it's confusing. She works as a high school in Willard and we just built a new house about 25 minutes away by fair grove. I will be in college but her boys are still in school for another few years. My dad says he will probably live with her until they can sell her house and one of the boys graduate. So far it looks like my sister gets the new house all to herself! I am so happy for my dad, it was hard seeing him alone everyday not having anyone to talk to and help make descisions. I'm sad sometimes thinking about having a different female leader in my family, I know she is such a great person but I can't help thinking sometimes that she will never be my mom. Nobody could ever fill that space but I guess some could fill it just enough.
