Trystan and I are extremely busy getting the house ready for the boys. Today we're celebrating an amazing season. The boys made it all the way to the championship round of the playoffs. They lost the very last game to the same team they finished the season tied with. We knew it was going to come down to those two teams. They fought hard but lost by one run. They were still so proud, it didn't even bother them that they lost. They held their heads high and congratulated the winning team unlike they did when we beat them.
Trystan has done an amazing job of not only teaching them to play like a team, but he has also taught them to be good sports when they lose. We were originally planning to have this celebration the day of the game, but it started to downpour toward the end of the game and we were expecting thundershowers, so we postponed it to this weekend. It actually worked out well because the boys haven't seen each other in a few weeks. School is now out and the season is over, so this gives them a chance to get together.
DJ slept at Mason's last night so we could get everything together for today's party. We spent the day yesterday cleaning up the yard and getting tables together, and today we're decorating the yard with green and white balloons.
"Mom, we're here. The party can start now." DJ comes into the backyard with Mason and the rest of his family.
"Wow, this looks awesome," Mason says, looking around.
"Thanks, I'm glad you like it. You boys deserve a party. You did a great job this season." Mason and DJ are both wearing their ball caps.
"Hey, Mom," DJ calls me again, but he sounds a bit off.
"What? I'm trying to get ready." When I turn around my jaw drops. He has his hat in his hand showing he's cut his hair short, and I'm mean really short. My eyes well. "You cut your hair."
"Yeah. I wanted it to be a surprise." He smiles.
"I love it, buddy. It looks awesome."
"Looking good, slick." Trystan ruffles what's left of DJ's hair.
DJ slips his hat on backward, and the boys run off to play catch. I hug Misty and thank her for helping to surprise me. "You're welcome."
Misty and Briggs help us set up the rest of the tables and chairs. "We have plastic tablecloths too." I grab the packages and tear them open, handing one to Misty. Briggs comes to the backyard with another folding table that he and Trystan set up on the deck for food.
"You guys did a great job with the decorating, and the garden looks awesome." She nods toward our memorial.
"Thank you. It means a lot to DJ. I've seen him over there a few times now. I think he likes that he has a place to go to feel like he's visiting his father."
"I'm sure it does. Is he still getting along with Trystan?"
"Oh my gosh, yes. They adore each other."
Lori and Josh arrive next, carrying the veggie platter they offered to bring. "Hey, lady." I greet her with a hug.
"Where should I put this?"
"On one of the tables."
The boys come running over as I'm removing the lid. "Food," they shout.
"Y’all need to slow down." I give DJ my signature one eyebrow look.
"We're hungry," he whines.
I roll my eyes. This kid is always hungry. I swear he goes through a gallon of milk a week by himself. It's unreal. "Yeah, well, more of your friends are coming in, so go greet them."
He looks at Mason. "Come on, man." He taps him on the chest. "Ethan and Colton are here."
"What's up, guys?" The boys all fist bump and then come back over to the table where the veggie platter and chips with salsa are set up.
The party is underway and everyone is having a great time. Briggs and Trystan are at the grill cooking with Vincent and Billy. The mom squad is sitting around the table chatting about the latest town rumors that are flowing through the diner. Lori taps my arm. "I see that Fred let you add some landscaping to the yard.” She points to the garden.
"Yeah, he did, and he's also agreed to sell me the house."
Their eyes all go wide. "Wow, that's awesome," Daisy says. "Congrats."
"Thanks. Come on. I'll show you the garden." The ladies follow me over. "DJ and Trystan built it together."
"They did an amazing job," Stacey says.
"Awww, look at the rock. 'Those we love don't walk away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.' What a perfect saying," Daisy reads the stone DJ picked for the garden.
"My son picked it himself."
"Heads up," DJ shouts. We all duck and cover our heads, and it’s a good thing we do because the ball goes into the garden and lands right next to the stone.
"Dude, what’s that?”
“That's my dad's garden."
"My bad, bro." Ethan runs over to see it as DJ tiptoes in to get the ball without stepping on any of the plants. "Sorry, DJ. Did we damage anything?"
"Nah, it landed right by his stone."
"Thank God." He takes the ball from DJ, and they run back to the other end of the yard.
The guys call out that dinner is ready, and as usual the boys drop the ball and make a run for the food table. They all make their plates and take a seat at the table next to our mom squad table. The guys make their plates last and then join us at the table. Trystan stands and says, "Can I have everyone's attention please." He waits for everyone to calm down and then he continues. "First, I want to thank you all for being here. I know we're missing a few team members, but it's nice that this crew has become such good friends and at least we can be together to celebrate their success. Some of you may not know this, but I didn't exactly volunteer for the position of coach. As a matter of fact, it was forced on me, and I wasn't too happy about it at first. I was told doing this would be good for me, and they were right. I not only had a blast working with you boys, but I got the opportunity to fall in love." The girls gush over his speech. "Now that said. I'm happy to announce, that Stella and I have agreed to buy this home and to move in together." Everyone claps. "Thank you, but I'm not quite done yet. You see, I really wanted tonight to be special for the boys but after a long conversation with DJ he thought it would be a great idea that I ask Stella to marry me in front of all of you.” DJ comes over with a ring. "Stella, I love you with all my heart so it's with DJ's permission that I ask you to be my wife."
"Holy shit," Misty blurts out, and the entire crew laughs.
"Yes, I would love to marry you." I stand from the table and wrap my arms around his neck. "I love you too."
Our friends all clap and cheer as DJ hands Trystan the ring to put on my finger. "Let me see that beauty." Misty grabs my hand. It's a gorgeous round cut diamond in a white gold setting. Simple yet stunning.
Trystan finally lets everyone sit down to eat. We find out that Billy and Daisy are officially dating, and Vincent and Laney are officially divorced. Seeing that Laney moved, she let Vincent keep the house they're in so Ethan wouldn't have to move. "Wow, what are we going to do now that the season is officially over. We have no baseball to cheer on and no excuses to get together.
"Football!" the boys shout.
"Our town doesn't have football," I remind them.
"No, but I confirmed that the boys can play in the next town over," Misty informs us. "We looked into it for Mason last year, but I missed the sign-ups. They'll all have to get over there next weekend though. It's the last weekend for them to get their names in."
"DJ, do you want to play football?" I ask, knowing full well he does.
"Yeah, we all do." The boys take their empty plates to the trash.
"I guess the mom squad lives on," Lori announces.
Trystan starts telling us about the commitment involved in a football season, but we agree that we all live close enough that we can rotate practices if need be and make it work. "Honestly, what's the problem with four nights of gossip," Misty asks, and we all burst into laughter. I'm so lucky to have met such an amazing group of friends.
I'm watching the boys when I see DJ standing by himself at the garden. I excuse myself and head over.
"You okay, buddy?"
"Yeah, I'm glad we did this. I talk to Dad often. I was just telling him that Trystan proposed tonight, but you know, when Trystan came to me and asked me if I would be okay with him marrying you, I told him I needed some time. I came out here and spoke to Dad, and I'm glad I did. I felt good about telling Trystan yes after I spent some time talking to him."
"I'm glad you're okay with this because I'm really happy with Trystan.” He looks up at me. “Actually, I'm lucky. I loved your father very much, and now I have Trystan to love and take care of us both."
"Yeah. I think he'll make a pretty great stepfather."
"I agree, but you should go back to playing with your friends."
"Okay, Mom." He runs off, and I'm glad he does.
The remainder of the evening is spent making exactly the kind of memories I've always wanted for DJ. Memories filled with friends and a growing family. I couldn't be happier.