"Dahlia, could I talk to you for a minute?" Randy walked into the kitchen where she was alone, washing potatoes.

"Hey Randy, of course," she grabbed a towel to dry her hands, "what's up?"

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black velvet box. He fumbled around with it for a moment before talking. "I've been thinking about this for a really long time."

"Oh Randy, I'm sorry but…I'm a little bit married right now." She smiled and sat the towel down on the counter. The look on his face made her laugh. "I'm teasing, let me see that thing!" He opened the box, revealing a ring that had a large, round cut diamond in the band. Up and down that lonely road of faith, I have been there. To either side of if it was two smaller round cut diamonds. Lilian's sister's jaw dropped. "Wow…"

"Do you … I don't know what to do here. I've had this for a few weeks and I just, I mean," he started stuttering.

"Damn Randy, calm down, you'll be fine, trust me. Let me go get mom and dad, they've got to see this!" Before his protests could be heard, she'd already left the kitchen leaving him to reflect back.

Unprepared for the storms and the tides that rise. A few weeks before Christmas, he had gone to every jewelry store in St. Louis. I've realized one thing how much I love you and it hurts to see, to see you cryin'. He finally got fed up with the, what he thought, boring designs. He got Lilian's promise ring he'd given her after they moved in their house and decided to use the two smaller diamonds. I believe we can make it through the winds of change. He took her ring to a small boutique downtown. The drive to the little store was one he thought over heavily. God is great indeed, if you believe in the ever life. Could he really even do this? Yeah we gotta make some sense of the pieces that we found. Yes, he loved Lilian more than anything, but would she say yes? And when should he propose to her? And if you just hold on, I won't let you fall. We can make it through the storms and the winds of change. There was always that little part of him that said no matter what happens, no matter what comes along, she'd never leave him.

He pulled into a parking place and got out of the truck. Walking in, he fingered the ring in his pocket. Lilian was out shopping with her friends so she had no clue what was going on. The only reason she didn't have the ring on was because he told her he was going to get it cleaned. He walked into the shop and looked around at the different cuts under the glass counter tops. He didn't have the slightest clue what he was looking for. Though I walk through the valley of darkness, I am not afraid because I know I'm not alone.

An older man walked out of the back room, a pair of glasses resting on his nose. He smiled and walked up to Randy. "Good afternoon, how may I help you?"

He pulled the ring out of his pocket. "I was wondering what we could do with this." He handed the little ring to the man who looked at it, nodding.

Now he was standing in her sister's kitchen, nervous as hell. And if the wind blows east, would you follow me? Dahlia walked in with her parents behind her.

That night after dinner after everyone had opened their presents, they sat around the living room laughing and talking. Emily was running around with some new toys. Randy and Lilian were sitting on the floor, gathering up the shredded wrapping paper and putting it in a trash bag. And if the wind blows north, would you stay your course? Putting the bag down beside her, she lay down on the floor, yawning. Her parents sat on the couch, smiling and looking over at their other daughter and son-in-law. Randy glanced at them, his nerves on end. And if the wind blows west, would you second guess? He looked at Lilian and took her hand.

"I have one more present for you."

"Randy, you've already given me so much, what else is there?"

Dahlia snatched Emily up in her arms and sat her down on her lap. She whispered something in her ear, making the little girl look at the center of the room where Lilian and Randy were now standing. And if the wind blows south, would you count me out? The only light in the living room was from the fire burning in the fire place, the Christmas tree and some lamps. She was looking at him with a deeply confused look on her face.

He took both of her hands in his. "Lilian, we've been through so many different obstacles and never once did you give up on me. You're the strongest woman I know. There's never been a time when I thought I couldn't go to you with my problems, no matter how big or small they were. You're more than a girlfriend to me, you're my best friend. Not a day goes by that I don't realize how lucky I am to have you in my life. I love you more than anything else in this world and I would stop at nothing for you."

Her eyes were swelled with tears and the grin on her face was incredibly bright. And if the sun don't shine, would you still be mine? She looked at her sister who was grinning ear to ear. And if the sky turns gray, would you walk away? She brought her eyes back to Randy who was reaching into the pocket of his jeans. "Lilian would…" He shook his head and then bent down to one knee. Pulling out the black box, he opened it up. "Lilian Garcia, will you please marry me?"

She started to nod her head. "Yes," she finally managed to say her smile brighter than ever. Would you say I do if I say I'll be and walk this road through life with me? He stood up quickly, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her up. He finally sat her back down on the floor and then kissed her like there was nobody else in the room.