He had met a couple of her coworkers at some parties. He wondered how he would fit in with them. But he found them to be nice people. No one talked down to him as a lowly construction worker. It helped that he could hold a conversation on almost any level having been well read. And it didn't hurt he had an engaging personality. Her coworkers could see they were smitten with each other.
He invited her to one of the work barbecues his boss hosted. It was not the first time he had bought someone but for him, it felt like he was introducing her to his family.
He warned her about Maria and Jennifer. Not that they were bad people, but they were very inquisitive is be polite. Expect to be asked a thousand questions. He knew the guys would give him a hard time so he was ready for it.
When they got there and introductions where made Ingrid was whisked away by the ladies. He didn't get to talk to her until the food was served. The barbecues were a very relaxed affair. There wasn't a lot of drinking because of the two girls from next door. The boss had stopped drinking after his divorce and it kind of trickled down. Beer was the hardest thing they had there. Everyone usually bought something. Ingrid's contribution was Swedish Meatballs.
During the BBQ, people noticed how they interacted with each other. There was a ease and comfort about them. There wasn't that new couple feel if you well. Like they had been together forever. If you looked at them you would never think they would be a couple. Almost as opposite as you could be. But you could see the smiles when they looked at each other.
Ramon knew how he felt about Ingrid. But after what he had been through with Elsa it was hard to take that final step. One day Maria cornered him in the office. "Por el amor de Dios, ¿qué te pasa Ramón? Tienes una mujer muy buena. ¿Qué esperas? (
For the love of God, what is wrong with you Ramon. You have a really good woman what are you waiting for?
)
"Waiting for what Maria?"looking at her bewildered. He knew he was in trouble for something because she was spoeaking Spanish.
"To marry Ingrid, your little Swedish Meatball. She's not like that bitch Elsa. I can tell she's a good woman and she loves you. Hell, everyone can see that, Even Jose noticed the way you two look at each other. And never notices shit. Get off your ass and marry her before someone else does!" Calling her his Little Swedish Meatball had become an inside joke with everyone in the company.
That was the push he needed. He had yet to meet her family. It wasn't like they lived close by but in Elbow Lake Minnesota, a 20 hour drive or 4 hour flight with another 2 hour drive from Minneapolis. So he did the next best thing, he called them. He knew Ingrid had told them about dating Ramon. He didn't know how they felt about her dating a Mexican man. She told him before she him she had only dated white guys. Mostly because thats all that was around. At college, Bemidji State had 7 Black people. They had more Asians then Blacks. And no Mexicans that she was aware of. Elbow Lake was like a winter wonderland, all white. She didn't think her parents where predujice. She had never heard them say anything derogatory towards minorities.
So one Thursday he Facetimed them. They seemed like nice people. They gave him time to introduce himself and talk about his job. Also most importantly how he felt about Ingrid. That she made his life complete and wanted to marry her. But he knew he had to have her fathers permission first. He apologize for not meeting him in person. That this was the best he could do at the moment.
They were pleased with his sincerity. He seemed like a nice young man who truly cared about thier daughter. The fact that he wanted to ask for permission to marry their daughter went a long way for a traditional family. They had some hesitation about them being a mix raced couple. Yet, they never expressed it. They didn't have any friends of color. The only minorities they knew were from TV or the movies. Even so, his words persauded them to give their permission. With the agreement the wedding would take place in Elbow Lake. Ramon, laughed and said as long as its in the summer time he would have no problem with that. After 3 hours Ramon got the go ahead.
Two weeks later they were having dinner at The Goodyear House restaurant. Jennifer and Oscar as well as Jose and Maria had joined them which wasn't unusal. Ingrid could tell something was different but couldn't put her finger on it. Dinner and company was great as usual. Lots of laughing. Jose could be really funny at times. She had become good friends with Jennifer and Maria. Maria was a force of nature and Jennifer was the voice of reason. During dessert she noticed the people at the next table had thier phone proped up facing her table. She thought it was strange but didn't pay it much mind.
Ramon got her attention. Got out of his chair on got down into one knee in front of her and said how much he loved her, Said she made his life so much better. She knew then what was happening and started to cry. He was on bended knee and pulled out the engagment ring. She squealed and said yes. By than people noticed and started clapping. Maria and Jennifer hugged her while Jose and Oscar shook hands and slapped him on the back.
When things settled down the man from the other table came up to Ingrid. "Excuse me miss, I have someone who wants to talk to you." and he handed her his phone. On the phone was her parents. They watched the proposal via Facetime. Ingrid started to cry again. Her mother joined her in happiness. Her father was her father and said he was happy for her and him. He told her how he had facetimed them a couple of weeks ago to ask his permission. He told her how he was impressed with him doing that. It was the bestr day of her life, until her wedding day of course.
Six months later in July twelve close friends from Greenville flew out to Elbow Lake for the wedding. Karl and Astrid Olsen hosted a get to know ya barbecue. Of the 1200 people in the town Ramon thought 500 was there. He hadn't seen so much food in his life. They had Elk ribs, deer chili, rabbit stew and of course Swedish Meatballs. Amongst other foods that were new to Ramon and the Greenville guest. It was funny to watch Oscar and Hal try to learn to Clog dance. They had a polka band and DJ. The party lasted until 9pm.
Everyone was staying at the Elbow Lake Lodge. That was the only hotel for miles. They became regulars at Han's House in those 4 days. They learned to love German food.
Ramon had a chance to sit down and talk to her parents to get to know them and they know him in return. Afterwards they felt comfortable having him as a Son in law. He met the rest of the family. Her sister Eva and brothers Karl Jr and Ben. There were dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles. He joked with them it was like a mexican family.
The wedding was held at the family church. Ramon had to met the Pastor. It was a beautiful day in the country. Jose was the best man with Hal, Oscar and Bernie being Groomsmen. Ingrid's sister Eva was her Maid of Honor as well as some friends from college who acted as their Bridemaids. Ingrid looked beautiful walking down the aisle on her father arm.
The reception was helod at the local Fire Hall. They had a DJ and halfway through a Marichi band showed up. Jose looked like the cat that caught the canary. When asked how he found a Marichi band in Minnesota he just laughed and said he knew people who knew people.
A year later they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl they named Helene after Ramons mother. Ramon was the happiest man in the world and finally had everything he wanted and needed, a beautiful daughter and he little Swedish Meatball.
The End
