“Well, Mamm has everything assigned, but come. We can just relax and visit again.” Ellie went on to say they expected up to three hundred and fifty guests for the wedding feast. “So Dat and my brothers’ll be moving the partitions out of the house come Monday night to get ready. And Sol’s gonna slaughter thirty-six chickens over at Aendi Miriam’s house first thing Monday mornin’. Ain’t the most pleasant task for the groom, but it’s tradition, and Sol’s been practicing with the ax—one chop, ya know.”

“That sounds like him. Well, I’ll see ya tomorrow.” Leah turned to go up the road.

“Denki for comin’!” Ellie called, watching her almost-sister running now, skirt tail flying.

On the morning of her wedding day, Ellie rose very early and straightened up her room. She would soon welcome her darling there and wanted the place to look extra nice for their first night together.

Then she looked in the mirror at her eyebrows. They were still scarcely there, but at supper last night, Dawdi Hezekiah had tried to assure her, saying he doubted Sol would be fretting about her eyebrows today. “Your husband-to-be will be interested in makin’ his vows to you and God—and starting his new life with ya, Ellie.”

Later that morning, Ellie and Mamm headed up to her parents’ room, where Mamm closed the door and reached for her hands. With tears glimmering, she said softly, “May this be a most blessed day for you and Sol, dear. Ever since you were born, your father and I prayed for the young man who would one day become your life mate, and now this wondrous day has come.”

Ellie fought back happy tears.

Her mother kissed her cheek. “Remember who brought yous together.” She glanced upward. “And always remember to trust Him daily as Sol’s wife and, Lord willin’, the mother of his children.”

“I promise.” Ellie still struggled not to cry.

“Sol’s love for you is all over his face. ’Tis a beautiful thing to observe as your mother.”

Ellie’s heart swelled with joy. “Denki for prayin’ for this day, starting all those years ago—you and Dat. Knowin’ this is so precious to me.”

“One day you’ll tell Sol and your own children ’bout it.” Mamm smiled tenderly.

“I can only try to be as kind and loving as you’ve been to me and my brothers and sister, Mamm.”

Her mother gave her a pretty tatted hankie. “I carried this under my sleeve the day I married your father.”

Ellie admired the pink roses. “You kept it for me?”

Mamm nodded. “You might want to give it to your youngest daughter someday.”

Deeply touched, Ellie kissed her mother’s cheek.

Mamm wiped tears from her eyes, then slipped out of the room.

I’m truly blessed, Ellie thought, placing the delicate hankie under her left sleeve.