The Proposal
In December 2001, I graduated with my high school diploma 5 months early. Graduating early resulted in my last day being very anticlimactic. I didn’t hug anyone’s neck, sign anyone’s yearbook, or shed any tears. I took my final exam in Economics class, turned in my parking pass, and drove away.
Justin had planned a celebration for me that evening. My way of celebrating wasn’t typical to most high school seniors. I didn’t party all night, use drugs, or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. I spent the evening with Justin, my parents, my brother, and a few friends, eating sushi and watching The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
The first installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy had just been released, and I couldn’t think of anything that would I would rather do than watch a bunch of Elves, Wizards, and Hobbits gallivant around Middle Earth. What can I say, I was a nerd.
Four months after graduation day, I found myself in a bridal shop with Emily doing very grown-up things. Emily and Brian had recently gotten engaged, and were in the middle of planning an October wedding.
Emily and Brian on their wedding day.
Emily tries on a stark white ball gown with long lace sleeves and a wrap around cinched waist. She is stunning, and in a matter of seconds, she transforms into a beautiful bride.
“When are you guys gonna start planning your wedding?” Emily asks.
“Uh, I’ve gotta get a ring first,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Her eyebrows lift slightly as she smirks and says: “Oh, I’m sure it will be any day now.”
WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY? Did Emily just give me a clue?
Later that day, I recall Justin seeming particularly enthusiastic about my upcoming birthday. With it being only a week away, I suspect that he might use the occasion to pop the question. I approach him later that night and start questioning him.
Our engagement photos
“Hey babe, what should we do for my birthday next week?” I ask.
“Uh, whatever you want to do babe,” he says, “but let’s try to do something just the two of us.”
A-ha! He never says that, I think.
“How about we go to the beach?”, I say as I plop into his lap.
“Yeah that sounds perfect. It’s been a while,” he says while planting a kiss on my cheek.
That was when I knew I had his number. In the five years I’d known Justin, he always hated the beach. He enjoyed doing things in the air conditioning like watching NASCAR races, jamming out on his guitar, and playing video games. He thought the beach was too hot, and the sand was a nuisance. On the rare occasion he did go, I had to drag him there. But I was happy nonetheless because a beach proposal sounded very romantic!!! Justin and I made plans to watch the sunset at the beach, and then head to dinner afterwards.
I went shopping for some new clothes and purchased a red bikini for the beach, and a long white sundress for dinner. I needed to look stunning.
On the morning of our special day, I have butterflies in my stomach. But I also started to worry that I might have gotten myself all worked up over nothing. “What if I’ve read the signs wrong?” I think. “What if I come home empty-handed?” But, I tell myself to just go with it. If Justin is ready to propose, he will. If he’s not, then our day will be here soon. As the day progresses, my nerves grow stronger. Justin seems more relaxed than usual, and his demeanor throws me off from any potential clues or hints.
As the sun begins to set, the wind blows slightly cold, leading Justin to pull me into his arms. He wraps me up in a fuzzy warm blanket, and pops open a bottle of sparkling grape juice a.k.a. “Fake Champagne” (I am only 18-years-old). He opens a box of chocolate covered strawberries, and turns on some music. Back in 2002 people didn’t have Bluetooth speakers or iPhones, but we did have old-fashioned boom boxes. Justin starts playing Reo Speedwagon, and the track changes to one of our favorites, “Keep On Loving You.” As I take a sip of fake champagne, I notice Justin’s hands beginning to shake. His voice is cracking as he starts to speak. Every bone in my body tells me that this is our moment in time.
Justin’s speech: “It’s been an amazing five years growing up together. Not only have we fallen more in love, but we’ve also developed a mutual respect and understanding that I don’t think a lot of couples have; not even ones who are twice our age. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on and I consider myself the luckiest man alive. I’ve known for years that I want to spend the rest of my life with you; I just had to wait for you to finish school. I hope you will accept this token of my love. WILL YOU MARRY ME?”
As he finishes he opens a tiny black box containing a dazzling, solitaire princess cut diamond ring. It is the ring of my dreams.
“YES!!!!”YES!!!YES!! I say, “Of course I will. I love you so much!” I look into his teary eyes, and fall into his arms. It was a moment that we’d waited five years for; one we always knew could come. It was sublimely perfect.
At 18 (almost 19) and 21-years-old, we are two kids who are ready to transform into married adults.
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