A Fun New Chapter!

A few years ago, our son came home - I think at Christmas, and he told me about a girl he met through his collegiate track team.  Graham and I have talked about many a thing along the years, about life, politics, philosophy, laundry, and yes, even girls and dates and whatnot.  But this time, my ears perked up.  I sensed there was something more in that voice of his.

We love Austen.  She dovetailed right into our family from the get-go.  She is positive, always up for adventure, she is kind and thoughtful.  She sings.  She runs.  She has no qualms about camping solo.  The first time she arrived in rural Kansas for a visit, Graham took her out on the lake in our sailboat.  Something happened!  The sail fell!  They had to be towed in by a random jetski guy.  Austen never lost her composure.  A few days later, Graham & Austen ventured out in the kayaks for what was to be a 3-hour venture.  (Segue the Gilligan's Island music...""a three-hour tour..." )  Well.  It was so much longer, and probably more awful than Austen will ever admit (until she regales the tale to her great grandkids).  At some point, Graham suggested that exhausted Austen tie her kayak to his, and he would pull them for a ways.  Austen fell asleep.  When she awakened, she saw that her kayak was on a sandbar, and Graham was far down the Kansas River, unaware that her kayak had come untied, and she was quite alone! 

Let's fast-forward to Spring, 2019.  Graham called us out of the blue on Saturday morning.  He & I talked about Saturday mornings, Saturday coffee, Saturday snow, and then all of a sudden, he said, "Mom, Austen and I went out on a run this morning and I proposed to her."

 I think I fell off the sofa.  I must have.  It was such a surprise, and such an answered prayer.

So, we'll just fast-forward again and move on to this month's Engagement Party here in Wabaunsee, rural Kansas.  We moved in all the garden tables and chairs around the yard.  We hauled out three meaningful quilts onto the lawn, from passed grandmothers and elderly aunties.  We invited folks who were significant in Graham's life to join us.  Here are some photos of the Engagement Party:

Austen Reiter and Graham Armstrong

A Garden Party.

   Garden Party at Dusk.

Our local Cowboy Poet Tim Keane did the honors before our toast.  Wonderful!

 Bocce Ball for all!

Graham & Austen in the light of the campfire.