Alex

Smiling at her big, I say, “Well, then, I guess you could use some help.”

On cue, the door behind the glass case opens, which I know is the door to Mr. Finneman’s office, and out walk Penny, Jim, and Glenn. Sutton’s mouth opens again, but this time she closes it quickly, only to open it again and say, “Oh, my God. What are y’all doing here?”

Her family comes out from behind the case and then it’s all hugs and kisses and tears. Her mom starts crying pretty hard and Jim is patting her shoulder. He turns to me, sticking out a hand for me to shake. Glenn just leans against the glass case, checking out the rings.

Sutton turns to me and throws her arms around my neck. “You are too much.”

“I’m not done yet,” I tell her and then turn our bodies around toward the door that her family just came out of. It opens again and her best friend, Shelley, walks out.

I’m rewarded with a piercing shriek from Sutton as she tears out of my arms and practically vaults the case to reach her. I know they haven’t seen each other in over a year and a half, and I know Shelley will undoubtedly be her matron of honor, so I knew that she should be here for this occasion. I had her flown in last night and she’s going to stay with us for a few days.

Sutton and Shelley hug, and cry, and laugh. Sutton turns to me with tear-stained cheeks and mouths, I love you. I just smile back at her, because this was nothing.

There is nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman. There is nothing I wouldn’t give up, nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice for her. She is the most important person in my life and always will be, because she showed me that life is about overcoming struggles and opening yourself up to possibility. She brought color into my otherwise gray existence, and for that I owe her everything.

She’ll always be first.

Above all else.

Forever.