Christmas is coming! Let’s dance and sing with plenty of joy we can bring! Tonight is Christmas Eve! I love seeing the fireworks! I have never heard them though, I’m Deaf. I love our Deaf community! That’s who I’m spending Christmas with. All of my friends. And my Deaf partner, Rae! I sign to my partner:

« I love you. Merry Christmas! »

They laugh.

« It isn’t Christmas yet, my love! »

I sign back fast, a cheeky child’s expression on my face.

« SOON! »

Rae shakes their head with a smile.

« Love you. »

I realize something in that sweet moment. Rae is my true love. I love them so much that it hurts. My heart aches when I am without them. I feel free and happy when I am with them. So I sign:

« Wait a second… I need to get your present! Bear with me! »

And I dash off, Rae chuckling at me.

When I return, I hug Rae. Then I sit on the sofa next to them and lean in, eyes closed. We kiss. Then I stand up. I kneel down. I extract an emerald ring. As green as Rae’s eyes. The look of shock and surprise on Rae’s face is priceless. I gaze up at them with love sparkling in my eyes. Rae softly gazes back, rather shy. I put the ring box on the floor and start to sign.

« Will you marry me? »

« YES! »

Rae signs yes so enthusiastically, shaking their closed hand up and down, that we burst into fits of laughter. We calm down and I slide the ring onto Rae’s outstretched hand, grinning happily. I stand up and so does Rae, then we wrap our arms around each other in a hug that becomes a sweet kiss. We giggle like schoolchildren again and start to tell all of our friends.

We sign in sync.

« We’re getting married!!!!!! »

As the fireworks start going off in the dark sky, we sit on the grass, leaning against each other. Our fingers twine around each other and we look up, staring with stars in our eyes.