How My Parents Fell For My Husband

by Amy Sohn

“Come out here!” my mom shouted, and finally he did. He sat down opposite us and just as I was about to announce our engagement he said, “Did Mom tell you I saw Spellbound last night? Excellent documentary, about these kids in a spelling bee. There was this one scene where this girl couldn’t spell viand. I swear to you I was on the edge of my seat.”

“We’ve decided to get engaged,” I said.

“Mazel tov!” my mother said, rising to embrace us. My dad didn’t say anything. My mother turned to him and said, “Come over here and congratulate them.”

Before we left Jack took a picture of the four of us, using his long arm to hold the camera. My mom, Jack, and me were all grinning ear to ear but my dad looked like he was constipated.

When we got home that night, my mom had written me an email to congratulate me. She said it was obvious that Jack and I brought out the best in each other, and would make each other very happy. There wasn’t any note from my dad. I wrote back to my mom: “I’m so glad you’re happy,” I said. “I hope Dad is too.”