Oh, the tears! So many tears! They’d been anticipating this day for several weeks, and they’d fully expected the emotional flooding that would come with it. What they’d not prepared for, however, was this.

Not these tears. Not on this day. No, not like this.

For this older couple, it began at 5 a.m. when they awoke suddenly to the sounds of their aged dog’s labored breathing. In the early morning hours, they cuddled her in their arms then lay beside her on the floor. They wept steadily, some tears dampening her fur as they continued to stroke her. A sense of hopelessness took over as their efforts to comfort proved futile.

To the vet’s office

A few hours later they were at the animal hospital. After assessing the dog, the veterinarian assured them their decision to euthanize was truly a gift to their cherished pet. She was, after all, more than 14 years old, and her steady decline had become more apparent over the last few months.

They moved from the examination room to a small, peaceful room away from the normal hubbub of the clinic. The woman seated herself on a low black leather sofa while her husband stood nearby. They watched as the vet and her assistant administered a sedative. It worked quickly to ease the dog’s breathing, and for a moment the woman wondered if the dog was already gone. The assistant tenderly picked up the dog, wrapping her in the blanket beneath her. She then laid her gently in the woman’s arms.

Sobbing the whole while, the woman spoke softly to her pet. She told her what a good girl she had been and how much they loved her. All the while, her husband stood by her side, weeping just as openly.

And then, as the beloved pet lay quietly in her arms, the woman observed the drug being injected into her pet’s leg. A minute later, she felt the exact instant her dog’s heart stopped beating.

It was over, and in that moment she felt her own heart break in two.

As the couple drove back to their home, their tears continued to flow freely. They eventually called a few family members to share their sad news. Then they resolved to turn their attention to the rest of the day’s planned agenda.

A glorious plan

A few hours later, on that perfect autumn day, they hurried to the wine bar in the city where a wonderful surprise was about to happen. Bistro tables lined the sidewalk out front, nearly all of them occupied by folks taking advantage of the lovely weather.

Inside, the man and woman gathered with friends and family to share in this special event. There were introductions, hugs, celebratory drinks, and excited conversations. Simultaneously, watchful eyes remained glued to the view outside the bar’s large plate glass windows.

All peered intently as the young couple finally approached, chatting as they strolled.

One of them had remarked to the other that this was where their relationship had really begun. It was where they’d first met up with other friends and found each other.

The young man paused at the one empty table, the one that just happened to be right outside the bar’s front door. It also happened to be the only table topped with a bottle of champagne on ice. His lady turned to speak to him and suddenly wondered where he’d gone. He was no longer meeting her at eye level, and she quickly realized he’d dropped to a knee.

Wasting no time, he professed his love to her, and he asked her to marry him. She was understandably stunned, and her tears immediately gushed uncontrollably. They continued to pour as he placed the ring on her finger and they embraced. Applause erupted from the outside patrons and from those hidden inside as well.

And then …

Just as the young woman finally regained her composure, she turned to see her father standing in the doorway of the wine bar. A few minutes later her mother walked outside. And then one by one, the rest of her family emerged. They’d all flown in that very morning from different directions around the country. They had all come to witness this blessed event.

The young woman’s tears continued to stream as each new face appeared. But her eyes were not the only ones spilling over. No, it seemed that dry eyes were hard to find in that group.

The man and woman who’d lost their dog earlier made their way outside following the young woman’s family. Embracing her tightly, they felt their weary eyes filling with tears once again. This time, however, the tears were tears of rejoicing. And when they released their hold on her, they turned to embrace the young man.

It was he, their precious son, who had just proposed to his own beloved.

These were the tears they’d been prepared to shed that day. They’d known his excitement and joy, and they were thrilled to be sharing it with him and the others.

They’d known of all his plans to make this day memorable. Weeks before he’d flown to the coast to ask his lady’s parents for their blessing. He’d done it without her knowledge.

Returning home, he’d considered every detail. The engagement ring. Lodging accommodations for her family. Arrangements with the wine bar. Dinner reservations for the two families for later that evening. And even a brunch the next morning.

He seemed to have thought of everything, and the day had unfolded perfectly—just as he’d ordered it. Even the gorgeous weather showed up to play its part.

So much happiness for everyone involved. Of course the tears were to be expected!

Hearts bursting

Late that night, the woman lay in bed next to her husband, reviewing the events of the day. It had been a day of a thousand tears.

There were tears fueled by grief-stricken hearts.

There were more tears to go hand-in-hand with hearts bursting from joy.

And it occurred to them that every single one of those teardrops had been the result of loving. They had all been part of the natural order of life. For had their been no pain, there would have been no way to know such bliss.

Surrendering at last to their exhaustion, they drifted off to sweet sleep. And as they did, they knew with total certainty—they wouldn’t have had it any other way.