Our love story didn’t start with the proposal–it started with our very first date, which I’m sure I’ll recount later–but I think it’s a great story, and a good place to start this website.
As background, for those of you who don’t know, I was sure after our first date that Michael was The One. (The punk took twice as long.) I’m also the product of an incredibly loving marriage going 35 years strong…that got engaged after three weeks. My sister and her wonderful husband took four months before they were betrothed. This means it took a certain level of patience (or, at least, the appearance of patience) on my part before Michael popped the question after a whopping fifteen months. Yes, yes, I know–that’s really quick by most people’s standards.
When we headed back to the States for a visit in honor of my nephew’s birth, I was hoping to high heaven that Michael would pop the question, but kept telling myself it would be fine if he didn’t. After a few weeks Stateside without a proposal, I was trying to convince myself that really, this was fine. We were already living together, madly in love, and building a life together. The rest was just details. Right?
Forever the optimist (or stubborn girl, take your pick), I told myself that if he was going to propose on this trip, it would be at his favorite place in the States: the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, at night. Convenient, seeing as we were going to be in D.C. for a week. We hung out with his dad, we went to the Air and Space Museum, we went out to dinner with family and friends. On a Wednesday, we woke up and it was absolutely beautiful, so we decided to head down to the Tidal Basin to see the Cherry Blossoms–a first for me.
I admit: I looked at his pockets to see if there was a ring-box-shaped bulge. There wasn’t. That’s fine, seeing as the proposal was coming the next night, anyway. As we walked around, I was in absolute awe of the beauty around us.
We navigated the throngs of people, stopping for the occasional photo op. We walked through Georgetown, passed the Kennedy Center, spotted one of the cutest older couples in history, and saw more than one cute baby near the Tidal Basin. We made our way over to the Jefferson Memorial (remember: Michael’s favorite place…at night. And there was no ring box bulge in his pocket). We sat on a bench inside, then went out to the steps and looked at the view. At this point, Michael insists I had a hopeful, mildly expectant look on my face. I like to disagree, but, well, I’ll admit it’s possible. After a few minutes (I wanted to give him time, in case this was The Moment), I suggested we mosey along, and he agreed.
Michael pointed out the paddle boats on the basin and mentioned that might be fun. I, ever the pragmatist (except when I’m not) said sure, that’d be fun, but not if the line was ridiculous or it was $30. Fortunately, the line seemed manageable, and it was only $10. We started chatting with a family in front of us: a mom and her three t(w)eens. By the time we made it to the front–a whopping forty-five minutes later–we were joking and I offered to take one of the kids on our boat. We grabbed our life jackets, and I insisted on taking a few “We look awesome in our life jackets!” photos. Behold.
With our jackets tied tight and our ticket for the boat, we climbed in and started paddling out. After about fifteen minutes, Michael suggested we just coast. I agreed. Then he reached into his pocket and said,
I got you something.
And slid over a little box I’d previously given him a gift in. I opened it, hesitantly, and peeked inside. Oh boy. That looked like a ring. I looked up at Michael with a big ol’ “Whaaaaa?!” face.
He proceeded to utter some of the sweetest words imaginable, the details of which I can’t remember. The important part is, it ended with Michael asking me to be his wife. Of course, I said YES!
Here’s the thing: we were in a paddle boat. In life preservers. Do you have any idea how hard it is to kiss and hug your newly minted fiance when you’re in a life preserver in a paddle boat?! Additionally, you absolutely cannot jump up and down with excitement. Fortunately, with a little maneuvering, you can sneak a smooch and grab a photo or two like this:
As soon as we got off the boat, I grabbed him for a proper smooch and a bear hug, and then we started calling our families. For the record–everyone knew! My darling man had tried like the dickens to get me the perfect ring–he aced it!–which required asking pretty much everyone in my inner circle. Fortunately, they are ace secret keepers, and I was absolutely stunned when he did pop the question.
We finished the day with a quick visit with his wonderful mom (can I just say how happy I am that I love my future MIL?) and then dinner and drinks with his dad (ditto for the FIL!).
[…] (I also published this over at We’re Gettin’ Hitched!) […]
Super sweet š The life preservers are sexy! I am oozing smiles all over the place hearing about the family (and you guys) short courtships…seeing as Marrvelous popped the question at about 10 months flat. I’m with you – I knew after date one.
And I love that you have discovered all of the same super rad sites I have as well to carry us through the planning process!