Four Little Words

I can't believe it. I just don't believe it. Yet it was bound to happen. My baby, my little girl, is getting married.
She called me on the phone a few hours ago to tell me the news. Chiba Mamoru, her boyfriend of six years, came over to her house. She told me it was the anniversary of their first kiss, so she was not surprised. In fact, she had been expecting it.
She said he came over in a white tux, totally different than his Tuxedo Kamen outfit. She invited him in. He commented on how beautiful she looked in her white evening gown, how it hugged every cuvre of her body and yet left so much to the imagination, then got on one knee. She said she could tell what he would say next, but she still gasped when she heard those four little words. She knew what was happening, but still shed tears of joy when he opened the box and showed her the ring and took my baby away with four little words:
"Will you marry me?"
Those words. They enter my life again. I first heard them from my husband. We became closer because of them. But now, they will take my little girl away from me.
And she let him.
"Yes."
I said that once before myself. I guess I never understood how my mother felt when I told her. She seemed happy and congratulated us, but now I know she felt she was losing a piece of herself, her only daughter, her pride and joy.
And yet, I know she will be in good hands. This is the man who helped her get into high school, then helped her through it. He is the man who convinced her better herself by going to college, knowing he would not benefit from it. And he has saved her life many, many times. When Usagi finally told me about the Moon Kingdom and being Sailor Moon, she mentioned him quite often. She was smitten.
I knew in my heart that this day would come, but I hoped it would never happen. I'm losing my baby girl. They even have a date set. She will not change her name; he will take ours. But I am still losing her.
Yet, in a sense, I'm not. Sure, she will spend more time with Mamoru and maybe they will leave Japan. They might have a child together and be together the day I die. But I will not be losing her; our bond will only become stonger. She will need my advice again: How to stay faithful, how to be a good wife, and, hopefully, how to be the best mother she can be.
It's amazing how four little words can bring so many people together: two people, their families, and the world:
"Will you marry me?"
And soon only two will keep them together:
"I do."



This story is dedicated to any and every mother,

To the mothers (dead, living, or step) of my friends: Thank you for bringing such a wonderful life into the world so they may enter my own life and make it better.

To my friends: Thank you all for being a blessing from God and to let me know that, yes, I am loved and that, yes, there is a light at the end of every tunnel and a way out of every darkness.

To my little sister, Jenny: I know you are only eight, but you have a bright future ahead. May you always follow your dreams and find a life-long partner.

And last, but certainly not least, to my mother: You have heard those four little words twice and each time you have found happiness. May you always be happy. You are only human (and that's what makes you cool!) and you won't succeed at everything. Rest assured that Rod, Jenny, and I will always be behind you 200%. I hope that when I find my soul mate, you will help me through every step of the way. I will never forget to tell you "I love you." Never.