Sarah & Grayson
Our story began several months ago at Rowena’s, a small downtown Morristown boutique, which would also be the site of the proposal and the beginning of the rest of our lives. However, the road that led us to each other really began more than half a century ago with our mothers, Carolyn and Jane. They were born to parents who lived across the street from each other. They became best friends, always together, until Carolyn’s parents moved across town. Even then, Carolyn and Jane went to the same elementary school and junior high, continuing to be good friends. Eventually, they were separated during their high school and college years. While their lives grew busier, they were able to keep in touch through their parents. Their dads, our grandfathers, worked together at Roger’s men’s store in downtown Morristown after they retired from their regular jobs. They spent many hours together swapping stories about their grandchildren.
In 1996, Carolyn and her husband, Buddy, were looking for a builder for their house. The person most recommended was Craig Peak, Jane’s husband and my father. Carolyn and Buddy knew that it wasn’t just irony that led them to choose my dad as the builder. Ten years after my dad built Carolyn and Buddy’s house, and when I was 17, my mother, Jane, lost her battle with cancer. Carolyn met me for the first time at my mom’s funeral and was astonished by the strong resemblance I had to my mother.
At that point Carolyn felt a strong urge to take care of her childhood best friend’s daughter. However, it wasn’t until four years later that dream would come true. I was now 21, and my boss, Regina, secretly approached Carolyn at church and asked if Grayson was dating anyone. Regina proceeded to tell Carolyn that she had an employee at Rowena’s that she wanted to set up with a good guy. She continued to describe me to Carolyn. When Carolyn asked what my name was, much to her surprise, Regina responded, “Sarah Peak”. Carolyn was ecstatic and thus began her mutual scheming with Regina to introduce Grayson to me. Carolyn started coming in a lot to Rowena’s. Little did I know that it was all part of the plot to get us together.
One Friday, Carolyn brought newspaper clippings in to me that explained that the store I now work in used to be the store where my and Grayson’s grandfathers once worked. She proceeded to tell me that she wanted me to meet Grayson, but because he lives and works in Georgia it could take a while to do so. I worked the next day and while my back was turned from the front of the store, much to my surprise my friend’s eyes widened and said “Grayson’s here!” I quickly turned to see if it was the same Grayson that Regina and Carolyn wanted me to meet. Then I saw Carolyn walk in before him. It was at that moment that I asked my friend if she could see my heart beating through my shirt! Carolyn had convinced Grayson that the birthday gift she wanted from him could only be found at Rowena’s. He had been told very little of me, but enough to be very curious. I could be cliché and tell you that we both saw fireworks and knew from the moment we first met that we were meant to be. However, our relationship goes deeper. It was founded on a half century of close relationships of our families and a destiny that was started by our mothers’ friendship.
When Grayson proposed to me in the same spot that our late grandfathers once shared stories about us, and the place where we first met, he told me that there were a thousand reasons to propose other places that would be just as memorable. However, he only needed one. The spirits of our lost loved ones filled that room as he dropped to one knee. Without a doubt, we knew the rest of our lives should start at that store… at that moment…in that spot.
