----------------------------- The Best Valentine's Day Gift ----------------------------- It was Valentine's Day my junior year in college. I had been invited to be on the Maury Povich Show. When I arrived for the taping, I had an idea of why I was there, but I wasn't sure. I would be the second guest. The other guests for the show I met in the green room also had no idea why they were there. When it was my turn to go on, the producer came and got me and led me to the stage. When I walked out, I heard a group chanting "Small Fry, Small Fry," over and over. Maury heard it too. As I sat down in the chair on the stage, Maury asked from his spot standing among the audience members, "Do you have fans out here, Rebecca?" My face flushed. "Kind of," I replied. "My sorority sisters came with me. My big sister, Kellie, Sharyl, and two alumni Sarah and Kris." "Do you have any idea why you're here, Rebecca?" "I didn't at first. I thought that it might be a makeover my sisters had said I needed for our V-day social, but they knew nothing about it. So I think it's a reunion, because it is Valentine's Day." Maury was kind of taken aback by what I said. "You're right, it is a reunion, but with who?" "That's what I couldn't figure out. It could be one of three people. Joe, Tim or Patrick." "Well, tell us about Joe." "Joe and I went to high school together. We kind of fooled around a bit, but it wasn't anything serious." "And Tim?" "Tim and I also went to high school together and we now attend the same college." "What about Patrick?" "Patrick and I have known each other for 12 years now. Last I heard he was in the Navy." "Well, here are some clues for you. Mystery guest, tell Rebecca about yourself." There was a Japanese screen off to my left side. I assumed the person I was to be reunited with was behind that screen. When I expected to hear something, all I heard was nothing. I looked at Maury quizzically. Maury's assistant ran up to him and whispered something in his ear. Maury listened to the message, then looked at me. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. It looks like your mystery guest couldn't be here today. But we do have him live via satellite from San Diego, California. Pat are you there?" The screen behind me changed from the Maury Show logo to a picture of Pat in a white navy uniform in San Diego. He looked just like I remembered him: tall, light brown hair, hazel eyes. "I'm here, Maury," he said. "Say hello to Rebecca." My eyes started tearing up. "Hi, Becca," he said to me. "I wish I could be there in person, but things happen. I'm so glad to see you. It's been so long." The picture began to get fuzzy. "I just wanted to tell you Becca that I..." The picture turned to snow. Maury jumped in less than a second after the picture went blank. "I'm sorry, Rebecca, it looks like we lost the signal. But that's okay, because I'd like you to say hello to Patrick!" I turned towards the right and there was Pat, in person, carrying a dozen red roses! I couldn't believe it. I leapt to my feet and threw my arms around him. Tears were running down my cheeks. When we let go, I sat back down still crying. Someone had brought out another chair while we were embracing so Pat could sit down. I held the roses in my arms, still not quite believing that Pat was sitting beside me. He grabbed my hand and held it tight. "Now you were trying to tell Rebecca something, weren't you Pat?" "Yea I was. Becca, I love you. I have always loved you. I want us to have a second chance." He got up out of his chair, got down on one knee and pulled out a little black felt box. He took my hand and placed the box in it. The crowd started clapping and shouting. When things quieted down a bit, Pat whispered to me, "Will you marry me?" I looked at him. I didn't know what to say. I opened the box and there was a gorgeous diamond engagement ring. I smiled, with tears running down my face and nodded. "Yes," I whispered. He took the ring out of the box and placed it on my left hand. It fit perfectly. We stood up and hugged and kissed. I couldn't believe it. This was the best Valentine's Day ever.