A Proposal Story
Every time I meet a married or engaged couple, I tend to ask, “How did he propose?” Not only is it a conversation starter, but it also tells you a little bit about the person – their planning expertise, their thoughtfulness, or even their spontaneous nature! It’s always nice to hear the sweet, planned out stories. But I find it even more interesting to hear the stories you never saw coming! Take me for instance….
It was 2009, the 3rd Saturday in October. My then boyfriend and I had been in Texas for just over 3 months. My 2005 Hyundai Elantra had begun running hot 2 months prior. Although I had already purchased a new Honda, I still had to get the Elantra serviced for it to be drivable. We found ourselves at an auto shop getting bad news and high prices. As we headed back home in defeat, I was bummed out and felt bad that I had my mom paying for a car, in her name, that didn’t even work.
We got home and decided we’d go to the state fair for the first time and try to have a little fun. So there I was in the bathroom brushing my hair, spraying my lil’ moisturizer, minding my business. Chris comes in and hands me this business card one of the supervisors in my office had given him. It was for a salesman at a local jewelry store. What did my smart mouth blurt out? “What you want me to do with this?!” He says, “Turn it over!” I turn it over. On the back is the simple phrase in cursive writing – “Will you marry me?” I’m looking myself in the mirror, thinking to myself, I knooooow he is not about to propose to me in this bathroom!
Then he returned. I’m still talking that smack! He turns me around, gets down on one knee, and says, “Well will you?” I stood there in shock for at least 5 seconds. Then I said, “Yes!” Then I jumped up and down. And for the rest of the day, my cheeks wouldn’t stop hurting.
I think they were paralyzed!
So many other occasions I thought he was planning to propose – candlelight dinners, cute little date nights, etc. But noooo, it was when I least expected it that he just wanted to, in his words “do something to make me feel better.”
Coming from a single parent home, I didn’t have much insight on planning to marry someone or even how to respond when asked! But what I did know was, since the moment we got together, everything seemed to fall into place for us. Nothing felt forced. Talking to each other was easy, visits seemed natural, and I could always be myself. He graduated and moved to Louisiana to help take care of his dad. I stayed in Arkansas finishing my senior year and thought nothing of it. We trusted each other. I graduated and got offered a job in Texas and his reaction was, “I always wanted to live in Texas.” So even though I paused during his proposal, it wasn’t to consider No as my answer.
We had been together for only 11 months and this man knew that he wanted to marry me. I can’t explain the feeling of security and love that you get from the RIGHT person caring about you and wanting to share life with you. But once you feel it, it’s AMAZING! Especially when you have experienced and felt all of the wrong someone can do to you. That was 11 years ago. And here we are, still, looking at each other in awe every time something amazing happens to us, in utter disbelief and excitement all wrapped up in one!
While the day seemed totally random, guess what it was? Sweetest Day! Never heard of it? Neither had I. It is a day to share romantic deeds or expressions, and acts of charity and kindness. The holiday is said to have gotten its start in Cleveland in 1922 when a candy company employee wanted to bring happiness to those in society who were often forgotten, specifically orphans and shut-ins, with candy and small gifts. In 2009, we were just starting out, didn’t have much money. But even then and still now, my husband would literally give you the shirt off his back. And now every year, on the 3rd Saturday in October, I remember the day my boo cakes got down on one knee and asked me one simple yet life changing question.
Every story is different. Not every story is all roses and fairy tales. But if it works for you and makes you happy, focus on that part!! Know your role and focus on the ending you desire! Now go get someone you love something nice!!
Happy Sweetest Day!!
Bold Butterfly 