On Friday, July 23, 2010...
Adam came over for our regular Friday night date. We had talked earlier in the week about what we wanted to do, and we both said we wanted to go to Petra's which is our favorite restaurant. It's a very yummy Mexican-bistro but is pretty far away. Plus... I really shouldn't be eating there because of my food allergies. But it's soooooo goooood!!! So we go once in a blue moon when I've had time to prepare. I basically have to starve myself. I have to make sure that I am extremely careful about the ingredients in my food for a few days before a trip to Petra's is safe(ish).
Anyway, we were both craving that delicious devil food. Adam asked me when I wanted to go, and I decided we should save it for our Friday night date.
That night, he came over kind of late. He called to let me know he had gotten stuck late at work, and then in traffic, and something else that he'd tell me later. He sounded a little frustrated so I said not to worry and figured he'd tell me what was bothering him when he got here.
Nearing 8 pm, he finally arrived. I was STARVING and was totally ready to go so I grabbed my purse and was ready to run out the door almost without even inviting him in. But Adam stepped in blocking my way out (and to FOOD). He said, "I have something for you. But I have to put it together so I need you to go hide in the bathroom."
Sitting on a toilet lid for who knows how long while dreaming of oh so delicious chicken guajillo didn't sound fun but of course I'm always up for presents. I asked if I could wait in the bedroom instead. But Adam said no, because he was afraid I'd peek out the window and see him bringing in the pieces of my gift. I hadn't even thought of peeking, I swear!! But like a good girl I went into the bathroom and shut the door.
I heard Adam leave and come back. I sat and listened to him banging around my apartment. What a racket he was making!! I heard him in the kitchen, then the living room. I heard what sounded like pipes being banged together. I heard a loud thud and wondered if he'd dropped something. I was so confused wondering what was happening. I knew what I was hoping for but wasn't about to let myself dream it could be...
Finally, Adam called out to tell me I could come see my present. I came out and looked at him sitting nonchalantly on the couch/futon. I looked behind me. I looked to my left. I looked back at Adam who was smiling so pleased with himself. I was baffled. All that noise should have led to something huge, right?
All this took seconds of course, and I turned my gaze to the dining room. What I saw brought tears to my eyes as I knelt down beside it.
(Ignore the boxes for a moment.) There, in my dining room, was my side table. Adam had placed on it a gift bag, an orchid, and a glass with a red rose and a white rose. If you notice, there are tags attached with fleur de lis ribbon. Adam is from New Orleans, so he's a huge fan of the fleur de lis (and not just because of the Saints). The White rose said "To: Past" which Adam said was to remind us of when we first met. The Red rose said "To: Present" which he explained represented our relationship as it is now. The gift bag said "To: Future" which was a token to our future.
I looked back at Adam who was now standing behind me, trembling. With tears in his eyes, he said, "You can open that now or later. It's up to you when you want your gift."
"I want it now!" I said, completely unable to contain my excitement as I reached for the bag and pulled out a black velvet box. (I was trembling too...)
"Before you open that box, I have a poem I memorized for you."
Holding the black box closed in my hand, I looked back up at Adam.
He said, "Roses are red; violets are blue. We don't drink tea; will you marry me?"
Of course I said YES!!!!
I guess all that noise-making was just to throw me off the scent. Adam had been hoping to surprise me with a proposal I knew was coming and he sure pulled it off!! I love all the trouble he went to to make the proposal unique and special. I adore the cute little poem he made up, especially once he explained it. He said he knew girls liked to tell their engagement stories and he wanted me to have a cute story I would enjoy sharing. And I do love telling it!! It never gets old. I am so lucky to have gotten such a sweetheart!!
Adam later told me that he had decided while he was on family vacation at the beginning of the month that he was ready to propose. He wasn't sure exactly when, but a little more than a week ago, he decided he'd do it on what ever night I chose for our Petra's date. I made myself wait a few days for my engagement and didn't even know it!!
I should have guessed. I knew something was up because Adam was very weird all week. Giddy and goofy like a 5 year old at the circus.... high... or drunk... I kept asking him what was wrong with him. I thought maybe he was severely lacking sleep. But it turns out, he knew he was about to propose and just couldn't hold in his excitement.
