The voice on the other end of the phone was Kristen.  “Hello, Mom?  Can you hear me?”

I heard the sound of crying blurred by the wind noise in the phone.  I knew my daughter and her boyfriend of 3 years, Andrew, were off the coast of Wilmington, NC enjoying the afternoon on a private sailing yacht.

“Yes Sweetheart, I can hear you.  Are you alright?”

“GUESS WHO’S GETTING MARRIED??!” Her voice came through, loud and clear.

I paused.  I hesitated.  I took too long to utter a sound.  As the mother of adult children, you carefully weigh providing answers to questions that might not be clear, especially if you risk the possibility of answering incorrectly.

“Andrew proposed!  We are engaged!  It was perfect!  We are sailing by ourselves… (I did know there was a Captain/ boat owner on board, or they would not have been in the ocean sailing to begin with!)… and he proposed!!”

I told her I loved her, was so proud and offered my congratulations.  I don’t know why, but the only question I asked was if I was the first person she called.  “Yes Mom, you were the first! I love you!”

I still mattered!  She still thought of me when something important happened!  She still included her Mom…….

Then the phone went dead.  Kristen attempted to try to call back a few minutes later, but the yacht must have been too far off shore for the cell connection to reach.  She did manage to send a photo of herself, proudly displaying a stunning engagement ring on her left hand, with a smile far brighter than the diamonds she was wearing.

What do you say to your baby girl who is a successful young woman, about to embark on what is hopefully a life-long journey of marriage with her partner?  These are moments you often think about while you watch her grow and mature over the span two and a half decades.  But your mind goes blank when you attempt to retrieve any meaningful, poignant message of wisdom you want to share in this precious moment.

“May you two always have smooth sailing. May you weather the storms of life together and come out stronger on the other side.  I love you.”  This was the best I could do through my tears.  I hope it was OK. 

Thank you for the boat call, Sweetheart!