Personal Narrative: Cathryn And Cliff

Although I "knew" in my heart it was coming, the call from the Lobby at my office asking to see me was a blow.
Cathryn and Cliff had been dating for about five years. The last few years he had even come to our annual family beach week. He was a welcome addition to the family vacation, not just because of the fun personality and my boys having another "brother", but because we had someone to take the picture that we use every year for our Holiday cards. But I digress....
It was early afternoon when I got a call on the Lobby phone; someone was asking to see me. I'm sure now that he said, “It’s Cliff" and I missed it. Having clients come by unannounced all the time, I assumed this was just another one. A few sentences in, I recognized the voice, and almost ran to the door. As I let him in

No small talk. No "How's the internship.” No "How 'bout those Astros." Nothing.
He sat down in a chair by the window and I sat behind the desk. It may be a ritual that has happened for generations, but when confronted with the situation, it’s entirely new and unexpected.
He says he wants to marry my daughter. He says he wants to ask her next month at Family Beach Week. He says, "I want to be in the picture."
I played it off as a bead of sweat, but I'm sure it was a single tear as I contemplated the strength and honor in his asking and the fear of losing in my answer. Another Chapter in my book of life, like Cathryn’s first day of school or her mother and I taking her to the dorms on that first day of college.
I said yes, we would be honored to have him as a son-in-law; and Cat is very much in love with him. Then, I'm sure, he began to breathe.
I babbled on with advice for the potential newlyweds: marriage is not 50/50—it's 100/0. Once a mutual decision has been made, the spouses are saddled with the choice. It all works out in the long run.
We shook hands. We hugged. Then, we each went back to work... Oh, and Cliff looks good in the