The tents had been set up, and it was time for dinner. Matthias and Erich started the fire, while Ginny and Leah prepared the wieners and opened the cans of beans.

"I thought hot dogs were against your religion," Ginny said to Leah.

"These are Hebrew National, so they're kosher," Leah explained.

Twelve-year-old Anna helped with the cooking while the younger children played tag and little Benny toddled around, picking up interesting looking leaves. Ginny watched closely to make sure he didn't try to eat them.

At last the meal was ready, and the two families gathered around the fireplace to eat.

"I'm so glad we got the chance to get together before school started," said Leah.

"So am I!" Ginny agreed. "What grade are you going to be, Anna?"

"Seventh," Anna replied without smiling.

"So you're starting junior high, then," said Ginny. "How exciting!"

Anna shrugged. "Whatever."

"She's a little anxious about going to school with the big kids," said Leah. "I told her it would be fine."

"Your mother's right," Ginny told Anna. "I really enjoyed my seventh grade year."

"But didn't the older kids pick on you?" asked Anna.

"I still wore braces on my legs when I was your age, and I was teased about that some," Ginny replied. "Luckily, I had a cousin who was a couple of years older than me, and he looked out for me as much as he could."

"Why did you wear braces on your legs?" Anna wanted to know.

"I had polio when I was little," Ginny explained.

"We were vaccinated for that, weren't we, Mom?" asked Anna.

"Both of you were vaccinated as infants," her mother told her.

Soon after they'd finished eating, it began to get dark, and the mothers tucked their children in for the night in their respective tents. Anna was allowed to sit up an hour later than Lukas but, as there was no television and no light for reading, she quickly became bored and went to bed too.

The adults sat up a couple of hours longer, chatting together. Ginny told Leah about her wedding, and Leah shared the story of her own.

London, England
June, 1954

As she stood beside the man she loved, Leah couldn't believe her good fortune. Five years earlier, she'd never in her wildest dreams believed she'd ever see Erich again, and now the two of them were about to be married.

The wedding was taking place in a pavilion in Kensington Gardens. Erich and Leah had written their own vows.

"When I first met you, you were just a youngster," Erich began. "I had no idea how closely our lives were about to become entwined. I was lonely, afraid, and far from home. You gave me a safe place to stay and your friendship. When I had to leave, I had no idea whether or not I'd ever see you again, but I knew I'd never, ever forget you.

Years passed, and I went on with my life, never dreaming fate was to eventually bring us back together again. Now that it has, I promise to never leave you again."

"Even though you were an enemy soldier, I knew that, deep down inside, you were a good person," said Leah. "I knew I had to help you however I could. I wished you could stay forever, but I knew you'd have to leave soon. When you left, it was like a piece of me went with you.

I tried to go on with my life, but there was always this empty place inside. I couldn't believe it when I found out you were alive, and living in London. I was so happy to see you again. It was like my fondest dream had come true.

Now that we're finally together again, I promise to never leave your side."

"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," said the wedding officiant. "You may kiss the bride."

As Erich raised her veil and kissed her lips, Leah felt as if she'd just entered heaven.

August, 1969

The two couples joined their children in their respective tents. As Ginny lay nestled in her husband's arms, she thought about Leah's story and how romantic it had been. Then she remembered her own wedding and realized it had been just as romantic, if not eve more so.