Watkins 1

Casey Watkins

Ms.Wilson

Period 3

February 28, 2019

I remember it like it was yesterday, my dad rushed into my room about half past 9 yelling “get up,

get up!” Half asleep, I tried to shake myself awake.

“What, what can be so important at 9 am??” I snap back.

He gives me a look as though he’s contemplating about how early he woke me up then looks back

at me and continues,

“I need your help to plan a little something for our 20th.”

Those words hit me like a wave of happiness. Shooting out of bed, I gleefully started to help

organize and plan. I contributed as much helpful information as I could. Let me tell you the full story.

When I was about 8 years old my parents were going on their 20th anniversary. My parents have

spent about 35 years together. The idea of love in my family started with the love between my parents

who then loved my brother and I.

My dad wanted that it would be memorable for our family and our friends. Knowing the beach is

my mother’s all time favorite spot, we decided that would be where the surprise would take place. Hours

were spent coordinating the day to be sure it was perfect. We planned who came, how we would get her

there without her suspecting, where we could buy flowers and a buttercream cake that we could eat after

the ceremony. My dad found a local flower and beach cake shop that could make a three layer

anniversary cake. My dad then went to the shop for two weekends to collect rose petals for the day of the

ceremony. I was in charge of hiding the marriage certificate until the day of the china wedding, which is
 Watkins 2

another name for a 20 year wedding anniversary. My dad and I were able to find a photographer that we

then arranged to come take pictures after and during the ceremony.

After the two weeks passed, the day had come and we told my mom that we had planned a family

photo shoot with a professional photographer. We left that morning and headed down to Oak island NC

and my brother left from UNC Charlotte as well . When we arrived (after about four hours) my dad said

he was going to meet up with the photographer to tell them which street we planned on going to to have

the pictures taken, but really he was gathering the four buckets of rose petals and the pastor to guide the

ceremony. He came back a few hours later and we put on dressy, coordinated outfits and headed for the

point (the tip of the island). In the car my mom was unexpecting to what was about to happen but once

we got out of the car she started to see rose petals along the sand.

Walking past the dunes we could see a large group of what she thought were just strangers, but

the group turned out to be family and friends with rose petals in their hands. I knew what was to come and

i was so excited. They threw the petals up into the air and the petals danced in the wind, landing on the

sand as if to kiss it. The smile on her face was contagious and almost as if her smile was to big to fit on

her face. A loud “SURPRISE” was said and a few joyful tears from my mom were shed. I felt so happy

when i saw her and i couldn’t help but smile. She went up to everyone there, who included my

grandparents, her best friends from college and high school, other family members and greeted them with

a hug. Then she turned to me and picked me up in a big hug. I had never felt closer to her.

The ceremony started with everyone standing on the sides creating an “isle” for my parents to

walk down. I was the flower girl throwing petals on the walkway while my parents followed after. My

parents restated their vows and finished up with a kiss. I cringed because in my 8 year old mind that was

still considered “cooties”. The photographer pulled me and my brother away for our individual pictures

by the shore. Then, she gathered the whole family to sit near the dunes and we smiled, trying to pretend

like the sand wasn’t piercing our skin each time the wind blew.
 Watkins 3

We all loaded up into cars and headed back to one of our family friends who has a house on the

beach. As we walked into the house an overwhelming smell of sweetness filled our noses and we couldn’t

help but ask “what’s that wonderful smell?” Walking into the kitchen we could see a three layer, beautiful

beach-themed cake. I looked at my mom and pieced together how amazing of a mother she was, but my

mind began to wonder. I couldn’t help but be the first to get a piece, but when I took my first bite I got

this waxy feeling in my mouth i’ll never forget. Trying to make light out of the situation my mom

jokingly said, “At least it’s pretty.” And we let out a giggle.

That night was so wholesome, with the feeling of love spreading to all in the house. It was almost

as if someone had set off a bomb of joy inside every person. That night was the spark of light that I

remember from my childhood and I’m so thankful to have been able to be a part. Because of that night i

now feel more connected to my family and friends. This pushed me to try to let the love flow through me

to all those around me.

Love is a simple word with a complex definition, described many ways by many different people.

For me, love is found in family memories.

Narrative Essay Rubric (Honors)

Score: 45/50
W.9-10.3​. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and
well-structured event sequences.
Standard
3.a​. ​Introduction​ -
Engage and orient the
reader by setting out a
problem, situation, or
observation, establishing
one or multiple point(s)
of view, and introducing
a narrator and/or
characters; create a
smooth progression of
experiences or events.
Exceptional (10-9) Proficient (8-7) Emerging (6-1) Not Evident (0)
❏ Effectively hook the ❏ Hook the reader with
reader with a creative, a compelling hook
original, and
compelling hook ❏ Effectively sets out a
problem, situation, or
❏ Effectively sets out a observation
problem, situation, or
observation in a ❏ Establish an insightful
compelling and/or point of view
creative manner
❏ Introduce a narrator,
❏ Establish an insightful, characters, setting,
original, or creative and main idea
point of view

9.5
3.b. ​Narrative​ - ​Use
narrative techniques,
such as dialogue, pacing,
description, reflection,
and multiple plot lines,
to develop experiences,
events, and/or
characters.
8.5
3.c​. ​Organization​ - ​Use a
variety of techniques to
sequence events so that
they build on one
another to create a
coherent whole.
9 create an original plot
3.d.​ ​Language​ - ​Use
precise words and
phrases, telling details,
and sensory language to
convey a vivid picture of
the experiences, events,
setting, and/or
characters.
3.e.​ ​Conclusion​ - ​Provide
a conclusion that follows
from and reflects on
what is experienced,
observed, or resolved
over the course of the
narrative.
❏ Introduce a ​complex
and/or creative
narrator, characters,
setting, and main idea
❏ Utilize ​two or more
(teacher discretion)
narrative techniques
with purpose:
dialogue, pacing,
description, reflection,
multiple plot lines,
etc…
❏ Develop experiences,
events, and/or
characters and to
clearly develop a
purposeful theme
❏ Use ​purposefully
narrative techniques
such as
foreshadowing,
dramatic irony,
suspense, and/or
flashbacks in a ​highly
effective manner​ ​to
structure
❏ Create a smooth
progression of
experiences or events
that is logical, ​creative,
and sophisticated ​and
that uses ​highly
engaging devices
❏ Use precise, detailed
and ​sophisticated
words, phrases, and
sensory language​ to
engage the reader ​and
convey a​ ​vivid picture
❏ Provide a conclusion
that reflects on what is
experienced, observed,
or resolved
❏ Extends the meaning
and purpose to
connect to the
Watkins 4
❏ Utilize narrative
techniques such as
dialogue, pacing,
description,
reflection, and
multiple plot lines
❏ Develop experiences,
events, and/or
characters in attempt
to convey theme
❏ Use appropriately
techniques such as
foreshadowing,
dramatic irony,
suspense, and/or
flashbacks
❏ Create a smooth
progression of
experiences or events
that is logical and
engaging
❏ Use precise and
detailed words,
phrases, and sensory
language to convey a
vivid picture
❏ Provide a conclusion
that reflects on what
is experienced,
observed, or resolved
❏ Extends the meaning
to convey a theme
 Watkins 5

audience ​and​ ​convey a

9 complex and original
theme