It’s been an eventful past week for me. If you haven’t heard, my boyfriend of six years, my best friend, Andreas, proposed on Christmas Eve.
We were back home in Maryland for the holidays and had been doing some last minute Christmas shopping in Bethesda. We got back to the car and were laughing about something (I don’t remember what now). He looked at me and just said “come here,” and held his arms open for a hug. As he was holding me, I felt him reaching into his jacket pocket. My mind started to wonder. Then he said, “I’ve been trying to think of a million ways to do this…”
That’s when I realized what was happening. I’m remember taking a big breath and just kind of freezing. When we looked back later he said he could feel me tense up at that moment. The next few minutes are kind of fuzzy. I wish I had been more aware and made a greater effort to remember every word he said but even though I was expecting the proposal (we had made the decision to get married together one morning back in early November), the moment he chose was a complete surprise.
I think he said something along the lines of, “I’ve been trying to think of a million ways to do this but I just want you to have this and be my wife. Will you marry me?” And I think somewhere in there, before the “will you marry me” part, I said “is this it?,” as in, “is this really the moment I’ve been waiting and pining for for the past two months?”
The rest is history, as they say. We sat in the car a while longer, hugging and giggling and admiring the ring. Just trying to fully realize what had just happened. Then, before we told a soul, we went out to lunch at my favorite restaurant back home, Cubano’s in Silver Spring. It was special. Just the two of us sharing what felt like a huge secret.
When we told my parents they were excited and happy and thrilled but hardly surprised. Most people who know us have seen this coming for a long time. When you’ve been dating since high school, when you’ve grown up together in college, when you’ve seen each other through deaths and depression and semesters abroad and graduations and first jobs, it ceases to be a matter of “if” and becomes a matter of “when.” My Dad (always the joker) immediately said, “This all feels so rushed.”
Still, I think his family was less prepared for the when being now than mine was (I may have dropped a few subtle hints over those two months of anticipation). He, of course, didn’t breath a word of it to anyone. We broke the news to his two brothers first and I think it took them completely by surprise. When his mom finally arrived, we showed her the ring and she just kept hugging both of us, she was so happy.
So that’s our little story. It wasn’t an elaborate proposal (it was, after all, in a parking lot) but a private, special moment between the two of us and that’s all I ever wanted it to be.
And now, the planning begins…
Oh. And I suppose you want to see this.
So, so happy for both of you! Congratulations!
When you’ve been dating since high school, when you’ve grown up together in college, when you’ve seen each other through deaths and depression and semesters abroad and graduations and first jobs, it ceases to be a matter of “if” and becomes a matter of “when.”
Absolute poetry, Shelley. I am so happy for you both. <3
Such a cute story! You sound so happy in your writing.
All the best to both of you
PS. your timestamps seem to be in Atlantic time for some reason
For the first time in my life, I’m not in the “If” world anymore, and it’s so awesome. I can pretty much wait forever, knowing that when it does happen, I’ll be with someone I love.
Congrats, both of you. You are a fantastic couple and I am so excited to hang out with you more!
Much love!
I am so happy for both of you…now the FUN begins…and no matter what anyone says, you can do whatever you want to do on that day…nobody makes the rules but you!
Woohoo! What a cute story. And what a GORGEOUS ring. Yes, it’s so common to not remember really anything that happened during the proposal moment (isn’t that weird?). And I love your Dad’s comments. I am so happy for you both. Welcome to the world of the engaged! =)
SO Pretty! And so special.. it just shows how you didn’t need some sort of crazy buildup or insanely planned event for it to be special! Enjoy the fun, exciting, sometimes trying wedding planning process.
I’m so crazy excited for you! Happy planning!
Such a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing! Congratulations!! Enjoy the planning process it can really be magical!!
Thank you for sharing. I am so happy for you. Congrats.
Shelley, what a beautiful story. I am so thrilled for you both and can’t wait to meet Andreas. The ring is spectacular! But I’m sure the marriage will be what people ogle at.
Congras to you Shelley and Andreas….you will continue to have a great years together….i still remember proposing to my wife….ya that was special moment for us too…awesome story too….be blessed
Again, congrats to my baby girl and to a truly special young man that I will be delighted to have as my son-in-law. I wish you both many years of deep and abiding love and friendship. You both deserve the best!
Shel and Andreas,
I couldn’t be more thrilled for the two of you…how much we have seen you two grow as individuals and as a couple over the past (lost count) years. Here’s to an exciting ride in 2009 and build-up to the wedding. You two are an inspiration. Love, Dad