She was just a merchant's daughter, and he was a farmer's son. She was a city girl, he was born and raised in the country. He grew up in this land where the people spoke a different language than she did. Here they had strange customs and the families had been friends for generations. She was just an outsider looking in, a destitute merchants daughter being used to salvage the family reputation. Tomorrow she would be a married off to a man she had never met. Her father said love didn't matter. It was only money and position that was important. Still she couldn't give up her distant dreams of love. But it was only a dream, something that to easily floated away and left her to face the harsh truth of reality. She was a woman now and had to take up her position as one in a man's world. Yet still her thoughts persisted. Would he like her? Would he at least be kind to her? Because of the successful farm she knew he could provide for her. But she was so young, and so was he. Tomorrow they would pledge the rest of their lives to the other. She was only a young woman and he only a young man, yet their destinies had been decided already, by another.
He was a farmer's son; she was a merchant's daughter. What did they know about marriage or the future? He was a young man now, almost full-grown, ready to experience the world. He could do everything his father did. He cared for the land, tilling it every spring, then planting it, and sowing it. He was old enough to decide his own future, yet as if he were a child, it was decided for him. She had never worked on a farm, she was no older then he, yet forever more their lives would be linked together.
"What of love," he had asked his father?
The man had eyed him bitterly and said, "Look where it got me! My heart is full of grief and weighs on me more heavily every day."
His mother's death had changed his father in many ways. Still his father had a chance at love why shouldn't he? Better to have loved and lost then never at all! Yet here he was facing down a marriage he didn't really want with a bride he had never met before. She was new to this land and their customs while his family had been here for generations. She was a city girl and he a farmer's son. However all there differences narrowed under one question. Would she care for him?
They first met at the alter in a tiny little chapel. It was so small and rustic compared to the ones where she came from. The priest though was very kind and understanding. He smiled so gently at her that she almost burst into tears. Her first glimpse of the man she was to marry was promising. Despite his coltish, boyish looks he had a small smile on his face. When they joined hands he gave hers a comforting little squeeze. It also helped her nerves to find that he looked as nervous as she felt.
She didn't hear the priest at all until prodded to say, "I do."
She spent the time gazing at the man who was becoming her husband. He was hansom in his youthful looks, however he looked so young. Yet he had kind eyes and an encouraging way about him. For the first time since all this had started she had a better feeling about her marriage. She maybe a merchants daughter and he a farmers son yet they would learn this marriage business together!
He grumbled as he adjusted his good cloths. It had been a long time since he had been required to wear them and they felt stiff and confining. After his mothers death his father never went out so there was hardly any need for good clothes. Making last minute adjustments he headed to the front of the church to await his bride. His father grumbled that she was late and the priest murmured something he didn't catch. The palms of his hands were sweaty as he waited for her to arrive.
His first glimpse though was worth the wait. Her appearance made him gasp softly in appreciation. She was beautiful. Red curls framed a rosy face and brown eyes peaked at him from behind her veil. Her rose bud lips pursed with nervous energy as she walked forward. One small hand grasped her father's elbow the other clenched and unclenched at her side. It was nice to know this beautiful woman was just as nervous as he was. As they joined hands he gave hers an encouraging squeeze. Her rosebud mouth turned up with a hint of a smile. His heart jumped; perhaps this wouldn't be so bad. He could feel her studying him. Those intelligent brown eyes taking his measure. What did she see? Did she see a man or a boy? Was she happy with what she saw? He studied her back, the more he saw the more he realized how beautiful she was. He may be a young farmer and she a city girl but perhaps they could make this work after all.
She found he had a temper. Aft first that scared her a little until she realized he meant her no harm. Usually that temper wasn't even directed at her. She also found he was a hard worker. Him and his father woke before dawn and fell into bed long after the sun was down. For the first day of her marriage her husband stuck around the house. He told her that he was the cook when it was just him and his father. Now it was her job. He showed her the cellar with all the dried goods. He also showed her how to milk the cow and where the chickens liked to hide their eggs. He asked if she could make butter when she shook her head he showed her how. So much of what she bought in the city was made by hand or grown here it was bewildering. Her husband surprised her with his kind words and patience. She also discovered he had a quirky sense of humor. Sometimes he would whisper a joke in her ear and then snicker about it all day long. He could also play some rather annoying practical jokes.
The longer she was on the farm the more she realized her father- in- law's temper was the one to watch. He was still grieving his wife and had turned bitter over the hardships life had thrown at him. At times his words could be cutting but her husband weathered through it. When life gets rough you weather through it until the sunshine comes out again. At least that was her husband's motto. As she went about her chores thinking of the man she married she realized that her husband was growing in her estimation.
Ever since the wedding he felt her eyes on him. He hoped he was living up to the man she felt he should be. He might not be full-grown but he still wanted to be worthy of the title of husband. And he watched her too. She hardly knew anything about farming, yet she was willing to learn. He taught her many things, both in the kitchen and out. She taught him much more. She showed him what kindness was in the face of his fathers cutting words. She taught him forgiveness when he hurt her. His bride also taught him patience as she tried to learn all he taught her. Each day he was sure she became more beautiful to him. She wasn't perfect. She had a temper to match his own and a sharp tongue to match his father. Yet in the use of these she was often wiser than him or his father. Life was rough and far from perfect, farm life was never easy. However the distances between him and his wife were narrowing.