Note: “Plant a kiss” is a figurative use of the word plant, which means an intimate and
publicly demonstrative kiss showing his love to all who are watching.
30 But the truth is we had a pure and responsible relationship for seven full years. Sitting by the palm trees, hand in hand, we would listen to romantic songs, watch the sunset, and weave dreams of being together with children of our own, forever. (Para. 8)
Meaning beyond words: Butch showed much respect for her conservative perception of love. For seven years, they just enjoyed their romance in a traditional way.
31 Two years passed in a blur. One day, Butch took me by surprise as he knelt down and proposed marriage holding a dozen red roses! (Para. 9)
Meaning: Two years passed so quickly that I didn’t really remember everything clearly. One day, I was startled when Butch, holding a dozen red roses, knelt down to propose marriage.
Note: propose to sb. = propose marriage to sb.
32 Filled with deep emotion, I confessed my love for him, “roooomaaaantic!!” (Para. 9)
How
Meaning: I admitted my love for him with deep affection. It was super romantic! Meaning beyond words: She was so happy and thrilled to accept Butch’s marriage proposal that she said the word romantic in a slow and exaggerated way. Note: In informal writing, people would emphasize something in a similar way. For
example:
Thank you soooooo much! 真是太太太感谢您了！
33 Then my brain woke up from fantasy land. I cried out, “Good heavens. No! We’re
too young to tie the knot. We haven’t even graduated from college yet!” I
really loved him but was pessimistic about our chances for success.(Para. 9) Meaning beyond words: All of a sudden, she woke up from the romantic scene. Though she already accepted love from Butch and confessed her love for him, she was not sure whether they would get married and have a happy ending as they were still college students. Note: It isn’t clear whether this expression tie the knot derives from an actual knot used in
marriage ceremonies or whether the knot is merely symbolic of a lasting unity. Knots have
a place in many cultures and usually symbolize unbreakable pledges. Actual knots have
certainly been used in marriage ceremonies for some time. The word knot, although not in the phrase tie the knot, has been associated with marriage since at least the 13th century.
34 We married five years later. (Para 10)
Meaning beyond words: Though she was pessimistic about their chance for success of love, she accepted Butch’s proposal. They got married five years later, which illustrates their deep and true love for each other.
35 Our faithful journey of love and learning took us down rocky roads of hardship and on smooth easy-going highways. (Para. 11)
Meaning: Our devoted and faithful love guided us both in times of happiness and also in times of hardship.
Note: The word rocky comes from the noun rock combining with -y. A rocky road refers to
a road full of rocks, uneven or not flat. Words of this group include: muddy, stony, grassy, snowy, rainy, etc.
36 It is a long, romantic, sometimes crazy, love story that sums up a 29-year long honeymoon together as a couple who are still madly in love with each other. (Para. 11)
Meaning beyond words: She felt very proud of her long-lasting romantic, sometimes
even crazy love, which was just like a 29-year long honeymoon for her and her husband.
37 Our love commenced with a casual attraction but bloomed into a mature love and rich life. (Para. 11)
Meaning beyond words: Completely beyond her expectation, love came to her as she started with a casual date but ended up growing into a mature love and rich life. Note: We usually use commence doing sth. or commence with sth. Also, in the US, the
official college/university graduation ceremony is called “commencement”. The word refers to the completion of one’s education and the beginning of one’s new adult life.
Note: The phrase “bloomed into a mature love and rich life” in the text is used figuratively,
meaning their love was just like blossoms on a tree.
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