William & Patty

A love story

By TY PHILLIPS
BEE STAFF WRITER

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William paced in the hallway, collecting himself. He pulled in a few measured breaths and moved into the living room. He wore a Special Olympics T-shirt, jeans and a rare nervous expression.

When he reached Patty, William swooped down to one knee. With his right hand, he took hold of her left. Patty blushed and turned away. Then she turned back and looked her man in the eye.

He grinned boyishly, as only William can.

"Patty," he said. "Would you marry me?"

"Yes," she said, fast as the word could leave her lips.

"Oh, that's great."

William stood and wrapped his arms around his fiancée. They hugged and kissed. And kissed. And kissed.

The next night, William again anxiously walked into their living room. Again, he sank to one knee. Patty knew to hold out her hand.

"Patty, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my entire life. Would you marry me?"

"Yes."

And so it went for the next seven nights: William proposing, and Patty always accepting. For William, proposing marriage was far too much fun to simply let it pass as one nerve-racking event. Besides, by the third night, he was getting pretty good at it.

Patty savored the ritual as well. She had waited all her life for this man. She dreamed of him while everyone worked to convince her she was incapable of love. When their moment finally came, they seized it.

This is a story of unwavering hope, enduring devotion and happy endings. It began about 47 years ago.