Mark and Jennifer packed up their Jeep and headed up to the mountains. A couple of their friends showed them pictures from last year when they stayed in the mountains for Christmas. After Jennifer saw how beautiful it looked up there this time of year, the decision to go was made. Neither Jennifer nor Mark had any close family anyways, so a cabin getaway for Christmas it is.
As they got closer to where the cabin was, they stopped in the small, but quaint neighboring town. The town's main street and businesses were completely decorated with wreaths, trees, and lights everywhere. Colors of red, green, and white made a festive statement that everyone enjoyed.
“Let’s go in there,” Jennifer pointed to the local grocery store.
Mark pulled into the store's busy parking lot and parked next to a big Chevy truck. The two of them couldn’t wait to get out of the Jeep after the four-hour drive to get there. Jennifer got out and stretched her arms up over her head and did a quick jog in place. Looking toward the building, she noticed how the storefront had an ornament-covered wreath hanging above each door.
“Are you ready to go in?” Mark walked around to the passenger side of the Jeep.
Jennifer grabbed his jacket-covered arm and smiled. The feeling of joy bubbled within her because of the festive decorations and the idea of being somewhere different. Mark grabbed a cart as the two of them walked into the store. His plan was to get some steaks to grill for dinner and make this Christmas a special one for Jennifer. Jennifer was surprised at how friendly the locals were while she looked around the store. Glancing at her with smiles and greeting her with pleasant hellos.
After Mark found everything he needed for the two days, he found Jennifer looking at a turquoise cable knit sweater.
“Isn’t this pretty?” Jennifer held it up against her.
“Yes, it is,” Mark smiled. “Are you ready to go?”
Jennifer put the sweater back and walked with Mark up to the registers. Mark stood in the line and looked at Jennifer. He could tell that she would love to have that sweater. He pulled his wallet out and handed his debit card to Jennifer.
“Here, you pay for this stuff and I’ll meet you out by the Jeep,” Mark said.
“But where are you going?” Jennifer asked.
“Just go and I’ll meet you out there,” Mark smiled.
Jennifer unloaded the cart and then paid for the groceries. Mark went back to the sweaters and picked up the one that Jennifer was looking at. He made sure that she was out of the store and then checked out. He also purchased a gift box to put the sweater in right away so Jennifer wouldn’t know what was in the bag. At the checkout, Mark also asked the cashier how far they were from the Bryson cabins. A tall bearded man behind him spoke up and told him about ten miles.
Mark turned to look at the man, “Oh, that’s it? Okay, thanks.”
“I am going up there myself if you want to follow me?” The man said.
“Okay, that would be great. I’ll meet you outside then,” Mark paid and grabbed the shopping bag.
While Mark waited for the man out in front of the store, he saw Jennifer putting the cart into the cart corral. When the man walked out he introduced himself as Big Jim. He explained that he was the caretaker of Bryson cabins.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” Mark shook Jim’s hand. “I’m Mark and that’s my girlfriend Jennifer over there by the white Jeep.”
“Oh, okay. I’m in the Chevy right next to her,” Jim said.
The two of them walked over to Jennifer, and Mark introduced Jim to her, “he offered to show us where the cabins are,” Mark said.
“Oh, okay, thank you,” Jennifer smiled and climbed into the Jeep.
Mark tossed the gift for Jennifer behind his driver seat and got inside. Big Jim, put his groceries on the back seat of his truck and then climbed inside. Mark followed Jim out of the parking lot, turning left in the direction of the cabins. The scenery was beautiful with all the different pine and fir trees along the roadway. It hadn’t snowed up there yet but it was still pretty. This was the first time in many years that Jennifer has gone anywhere. Anywhere other than her hometown that is. She only met Mark two years ago and moved in with him last year. She worked all the time so meeting Mark was a blessing in disguise.
After driving about ten miles, Jim turned right onto a dirt road. Mark turned and followed Jim about a mile before they pulled into a driveway with a cabin off to the one side. Jim got out and walked over to Mark's Jeep.
“This is where I live if you need anything. What cabin are you registered for?” Jim asked.
“Cabin five,” Mark said.
Jim climbed back into his truck and drove on to cabin five about two miles down the road. Jennifer just enjoyed the beauty of the mountains in the distance while Mark followed Jim. As Jim pulled up to the log cabin, Mark pulled up next to him. Jennifer was in awe as to how beautifully decorated the outside of the cabin was. With all the green garland and red ribbons and bows draped on the porch roof and railings. Even though it was daylight still, she could still see the white lights shining along the green garland.
“This is beautiful,” Jennifer smiled.
Mark got out of the Jeep and walked over to Jim, who was still sitting in his truck, “thanks for bringing us here Jim. If you don’t have plans later, stop over for a drink or two.”
“Thanks, I might just do that. I hope that enjoy your stay, and if you need anything my number is by the phone inside the cabin,” Jim smiled.
Jennifer got out of the Jeep just as Jim started to back up. He waved to her just before he left for his cabin. She smiled and waved back.
Mark sauntered over to her, “so what do you think?”
“It’s wonderful. Thank you so much for talking me into taking a vacation getaway.”
Jennifer grabbed onto Mark’s hands and pulled him close. She looked up into his eyes and softly kissed his lips.
Mark looked at Jennifer and smiled, “shall we go inside now?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Jennifer still holding Mark's hand, hurried up onto the porch. Mark dug the key out of his front pocket and unlocked the cabin door. As Jennifer pushed the door open and walked inside, a beautifully decorated and lit Christmas tree was the first thing she saw. It sat off to the one side of a brick-faced fireplace. Jennifer walked around and glanced at all the pretty garland and ribbon hanging around in the main living room. She then noticed the view out of the sliding glass door and ran over to it. She unlocked the door, opened it, and stepped out onto the back deck. The beauty of the woods and the mountains in the distance was breathtaking.
“Mark, you have to see this.”
Mark walked out to Jennifer and put his arm around her as he admired the view.
“I don’t think that it could get any better than this,” Jennifer leaned her head up against Mark's shoulder.
Mark smiled, dug into his jacket pocket, and knelt down, “are you sure about that?” He opened up a ring box.
Stunned, Jennifer looked at Mark and smiled. Tears welled up in her eyes, as he asked her to marry him. Jennifer nodded and said yes. Mark put the two-carat diamond ring on her finger and stood up and kissed her.
“I was going to wait until after dinner, but I felt that this was the perfect time with what you said,” Mark looked into her eyes.
Tears ran from Jennifer’s eyes, “It’s perfect, and you’re perfect. I am blessed to have you as my husband,” Jennifer hugged him again.
The spirit of Christmas is a magical time for many reasons. There is just something about it that creates a brighter spark in the hearts of many. You may or may not be getting proposed to this season but the magic is still there in other ways. Watching the eyes of a child as they open a special gift. Or giving a gift to a stranger out of the blue. Just spreading joy and good cheer to all you see can brighten someone’s day. The magic is in the eyes of the beholder. Find it within yourself and spread it. We all need more joy in this world.
Please join me again for another Tis The Season Stories, story next week. Please feel free to comment below.