I hum to myself as I put on my best dress and the necklace that used to belong to my grandmother. Roger told me last week that we're going somewhere special tonight.

When I first met Roger, I had been walking through the park. Other than my dog and a good book, I needed no other company as I sat on the bench and listened to the birds. However, my peaceful afternoon was interrupted when Roger and his dog happened to be wandering through the same area.

I didn't mind. He had as much right to stroll through the park as I did, so if he wished to be here, I would simply surrender the bench. After all, as long as he was sitting under the tree, smoking his pipe, he wasn't bothering me, but when his dog began to leap about, it was rather difficult to concentrate on the novel I was reading.

Roger must not have spent too much time training his dog to walk on the leash properly. His pet wrapped its leash around Roger and myself, and we tripped into each other's arms.

At first I was greatly offended. Roger seemed so forward and brash, and he had blatantly failed to teach his dog any manners. What a nuisance! My mood worsened when we both fell into the pond. However, after several moments, I was finally able to see the humor of the situation.

We continued our walk together and agreed to meet for tea the following afternoon. Roger and I became friends.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, and I open the door to find Roger. His eyes widen, and he seems unable to speak.

Finally, he finds his voice. "You look beautiful!" He smiles, but his hands are trembling. "Are you ready to go?"

"Why, yes," I answer, "but Roger, whatever is the matter? I do hope you're not ill!"

He glances down at his hands nervously. I take one of them in mine, and Roger escorts me to a finer restaurant than any I've ever seen. Surely this is too much! I try to tell him I don't need anything too extravagant, but he insists that this is a special evening.

"I hope you don't mind, but I've already made plans for after dinner," Roger announces. "You said you liked the theater."

"Are you sure you're alright?" I ask. "Your face is pale, and you seem uneasy about something."

"I think Pongo seems to have fallen in love with your dog," he explains. "He can't bear to be without her. It breaks his heart, and there's no dealing with him."

"I've also noticed the way Perdy enjoys his company," I reply. "It seems wrong to keep them apart."

To my surprise, Roger kneels before me and removes a small box from his pocket. "Anita, you're the reason I'm finally able to compose love songs. Will you marry me?"

Marriage? This is entirely unexpected! I hardly know how to reply!

Roger is indeed a fine young man. Any lady he marries will be a most fortunate bride.

Why do I feel my face growing warm? Surely I must be blushing!

"Roger, darling, of course!" I smile, staring at my hand as he slips a diamond on my finger.

Is this what it feels like to reach the end of a fairy tale, knowing you'll finally live happily ever after, or is this how it feels at the beginning, when a new life is about to start? Whatever may happen in the future, I will continue my story with Roger. For now, we have a wedding to plan.