Once Upon a Time...

While reading the newspaper today, I came across a very small article that stated that one could win a night's stay in the Presidential Suite at the Grand America hotel and dinner for two if they submitted an account of their "love story" under 1,000 words. Having nothing better to do at work this morning, I crafted the following piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as David and I do. Even if we don't win the contest, I enjoyed myself at work for at least an hour writing it. :)

The Story of the Prince David and Princess Rachel

Once upon a time, in the far away magical land of the Lake of Salt, there lived a beautiful princess named Rachel. She was small and quiet, and had blonde hair and a fondness for unicorns. Like most of the kingdom's children, she attended a nearby school, and on her first day of kindergarten, she met the prince David. He was also small and blond, but not at all quiet. They quickly became friends and delighted in doing the things small children enjoy.

As they grew, they continued to play together. Many of the other girls were mean to Princess Rachel, but Prince David was always kind to her, letting her play basketball with the boys and act as the refueling station for his fleet of Startrek ships.

Upon entering junior high, Princess Rachel and Prince David's friendship began to develop into something more. Unbeknownst to one another, each harbored a secret love for the other. Sadly, the kind Prince David moved away and began attending a different school. Heartbroken though she was, Princess Rachel mustered the courage to continue on without him.

As the years passed, Prince David grew into a handsome youth, and the Princess Rachel an equally beautiful maiden. Their paths crossed occasionally throughout their adolescence, once at a wedding celebration and again on a trip to the land of the Yellow Stone. As each graduated from high school, they went their separate ways to schools of higher education.

It was at another wedding celebration that they fortuitously met once again. Princess Rachel was there to congratulate her favorite nurse from her childhood on her marriage, who also happened to be Prince David's cousin. Unbeknownst to Princess Rachel, Prince David was there and had spotted her from a distance. Princess Rachel did not immediately recognize Prince David, but had been for some time admiring his fine suit and ruggedly handsome features. Being a gentleman, Prince David reintroduced himself at once, and the pair resolved to renew their friendship.

As before, the friendship of Princess Rachel and Prince David grew into romance. They spent many wonderful evenings together, riding Prince David's roan stallion or walking through the Lake of Salt kingdom. However, the prince and princess were destined to be parted again. Prince David was called by the King to serve in a dangerous land filled with dragons, serpents, and all sorts of other horrible creatures. He would be gone awhile, but promised Princess Rachel he would return. She promised she would wait for him. And so she did. She wrote to him, and he to her, each looking forward to the day when they could be reunited forever.

After serving the King gallantly, Prince David did return. One night some months later, all their friends were gathered at a festival to watch pirates duel. The kind and handsome Prince David suddenly knealt down on one knee and gave Princess Rachel a box to open. The Princess Rachel at first refused, suspecting a trick, but Prince David persisted. Willing to oblige her love, Rachel opened the box to find a ring. The Prince David and Princess Rachel became betrothed, and all their friends celebrated.

Following strenuous planning and coordination, Prince David and Princess Rachel were married in a beautiful white castle, and journeyed to a southern kingdom to begin their lives together at last.