It was past eight at night on Christmas eve. Tasha, Grant, along with Tyson arrived in Sandville late afternoon for Christmas. Tasha, Grant, her father and her mother were watching a Christmas carol on the TV with cups of her mother’s homemade hot apple cider drinks in their hands.
The Christmas tree was blinking cheerfully in a corner. She planned to sneak back into the living room later, after everyone might have retired, to add the presents she and Grant brought with them. Tyson had gone to her brother’s house so that he could be with his cousins.
“I guess we should call it a day,” Tasha announced when the carol ended. She was already yawning and feeling jet lag.
“Good night,” Grant said Mr. and Mrs. Harrison went upstairs with Tasha.
Tasha and Grant changed into their nightclothes and brushed their teeth.
“Mom suggested that you and I should attend my grandma’s church tomorrow for the Christmas service. So you can meet her.” Tasha said, as they climbed into bed. Her maternal grandmother lived in Apex Grove, a small town twenty minutes away from Sandville. She was her only serving grandparent. “What do you think?”
“It’s fine,” he pulled her in closer to himself. “It’s a good idea. Let’s go.”
“Okay,” she leaned over and kissed him. “We’ll go.”
They agreed to go and she pastor on boxing day. Tasha told him stories about Christmas celebrations in Sandville until they slept off in each other’s hands.
The next thing she knew, the alarm clock on her nightstand went off. She reached out quickly to stop it. She had set the volume very low so it won’t wake Grant up. It was 5:00 am. She sat up on the bed and stretched her body. She knew her mother would be up by now and she wanted to help her.
Mrs. Harrison likes to wake up early on Christmas day to make a special breakfast for her household before they leave for church. By the time they get back from the Christmas service, her siblings and their families would be around and the Harrisons would engage in their family tradition. They would gather in the living room, around the warm and cozy fireplace, and exchange gifts with one another. Then the ladies will go to the kitchen to cook the Christmas lunch.
Tasha got up from the bed and padded downstairs.
Downstairs, Mrs. Harrison was already in the kitchen, as Tasha expected. The older woman sat by the window with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. Her eyes were closed, and her lips moved in a silent prayer. Tasha joined her, sitting down with a gentle creak of the wooden chair to start her day with prayers like her mother.
******
A shadow of a smile quivered at the edges of Tasha’s mouth as they walked up the path to the Padtor’s quaint white mission house. Extreme joy flooded Tasha’s heart that afternoon. She couldn’t believe that finally she was going to see the pastor to discuss her wedding day. It was a dream come through for her.
It was Boxing Day, the 26th of December. The air was crisp and clear: the remnants of Christmas cheer still lingering in the air.
They found Pastor Caleb Thompson in his office, surrounded by stacks of books and the scent of old paper. He looked up from his desk, his kind eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
“Tasha Harrison! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Good afternoon Pastor,” both Tasha and Grant greeted the man of God.
“Come in, come in,” he said, his voice a gentle rumble. “I never knew you were in town. I didn’t see you in church yesterday.”
Tasha smiled, still standing. “I went to Grandma’s church for the Christmas service yesterday.”
“Oh I see, please have your seat,” Caleb motioned for them to sit down.
“Pastor,” she whispered with a smile. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. “This is my fiance, Grant. We are planning our wedding. We would like to get married in this church in April. We were hoping you would do us the honor of joining us together.”
“That’s good news,” the Reverend smiled, genuinely happy for Tasha.
He had known Tasha since she was a little girl, and seeing her all grown up and ready to start her own family after her initial challenge gladdened his heart. “Congratulations, I am very happy for you, Tasha.”
“Thank you sir,” she blushed.
He turned to Grant and said, “young man, Grant, you are warmly welcome. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Pastor,” Grant bowed his head slightly in respect.
“Now to your request,” he looked from Grant to Tasha, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “That’s a wonderful request. It would be my absolute pleasure and honor to join both of you in holy matrimony.”
Tasha and Grant exchanged a joyous look, their hearts overflowing with happiness.
“Thank you, sir,” Grant said, reaching out to hold Tasha’s hand in his.
“So, which day in April would you like to choose?” Caleb asked them.
The intending couple looked lovingly into each other’s eyes again and Grant as the man said, “we would like to get married on the second Saturday in April.”
“Fantastic,” Revd Thompson beamed. “It’s very okay. I will inform the church elders and committee, and I’m sure they will not have any problem with the date.”
“We are glad about that,” Tasha said.
“Hmmm,” Caleb cleared his throat. How long are you planning to stay in Sandville? I would like to have a meeting with you both before you leave town. That is after I inform the committee and elders tomorrow during our weekly meeting.”
“We are going to be here until the afternoon of the Twenty-eight sir,” Grant replied.
“Good.” he removed his reading glasses and dropped them on the desk. “I will see you both at home after the meeting.”
“Alright sir.”
“Let’s have a word of prayer together before you leave,” Revd Thompson said, standing up.
The lovers stood up too and took the hands of the man of God for prayer.