After I decided when I planned to propose to Stacy, time slowed down until that day came – and then time stopped. Probably the longest, most anxious day of my life was March 24th, 2009 when I proposed to Stacy.
I had a great plan. I normally go way over the top when I do things for her, but I knew if I did that she would suspect something. The proposal had to be a total surprise, so I was going to fly it low, under the radar. I thought for weeks.
A surprise flight to New York to see Phantom of the Opera? No. The second we hit the airport she’d know.
A hot air balloon ride at sunset over a beautiful area? A bit strange.
Purchasing a house and then when looking at the house, “deciding” to buy, proposing and announcing the house? Good, but wrong focus. It’s about her being the most amazing woman in the world, not about a house.
Then I had it. Our first date landed us at night on the beach. We talked for hours, until early morning, and about all the things you’re not supposed to talk about on a first date. Religion, politics, family – the works. It was awesome.
That’s where I was going to ask her, at the same spot I realized she was the one I wanted to be with forever so many months ago. Oh, and it had to be at sunset because sunsets are pretty (It’s like adding “in bed” to the end of your fortune cookie fortune. Except it’s “at sunset” and for date plans).
Now that I had the location decided, the rest of it flowed. Stacy loves seashells. She’s like a kid in a candy shop, she picks up all the pretty looking ones and wants to turn them all into necklaces or bracelets. It’s great! I bought a giant seashell. One she couldn’t miss.
I love to tell Stacy how much I love her. I do it in various forms: words, love notes, surprises, etc. Not because I have to or I am trying to be sappy, I just think it’s a nice thing to do. I want to make sure her “love tank” is full. All the time. A love poem that I could stuff into the shell that I knew she would pick up at the place we had our first date was perfect.
A week later, I execute my plan. We’re walking on the beach, and I’m telling her sweet things that make her smile. I pause to direct her attention to a shell she can’t refuse to pickup and as soon as she does she sees the paper and gives me a look. I love that look.
As she unfolds my love note/poem, she pulls it close to her face to read (I have horrible hand writing which worked out so perfectly), blocking her vision of me.
“Stacy, will you marry me?” I ask on one knee, ring box open and extended in her direction.
Shocked, she starts laughing and crying at the same time, backing up a little.
“Uhh-huh!” she couldn’t quite get a ‘yes’ out but the semi-verbal was even better.
Already sized, I slipped the ring onto her finger. The clocked ticked 7:04pm on March 24th and I became the happiest man ever. Praise God (He totally set us up)!
(For those curious about the after part, I followed up the proposal with dinner at the restaurant we ate at the night we first told each other “I love you”.)
Congrats!!! Blessings on your engagement and marriage!
[...] I pray for daily is that the Lord will continue to rise up in me a further love and joy for my bride-to-be that will amaze her daily. That He will teach me to both create and look forward to instances that [...]