The Proposal

We were looking at rings off and on for several months, with no real intention of getting one for a long time.  We knew we were going to get married pretty early on in the relationship - there was just that good feeling, that feeling that things were going to work out, and it never left. As a joke, we played a prank on our moms about picking out a ring, (you’ll have to ask them that story,) but as time went on, we starting getting more and more serious, and began to think about when this would actually happen.  Well, being the rather picky artist Libby is, it was a long time before she found one that screamed her name.  On a whim, we stopped at a jewelry store while visiting our good friends in Bellevue, and she found it.  It was perfect - she wanted something unique, not very tall, (because she’d catch it on everything,) but with a little curve and flair to it.  But of course, neither of us were in a position to afford a ring, so we wrote down the information, and stowed it away for a very special day.

That day came on December 8th, 2009, exactly one year after we began dating.  We’d ordered the ring, but Libby had no idea when Marcus was actually going to propose.  But she knew there was something in the works, especially since Marcus has made reservations at Carmine’s, our favorite little family-owned Italian place…she wondered if that was going to be the night.

But, a couple weeks passed and the ring hadn’t shown up.  Marcus was beginning to get worried because he had specific plans, and if it took much longer, he might have to change them.  He soon called the jeweler and finds out there was a mixup.  They thought that instead of mailing out the ring as we had requested, he was going to pick up the ring at the store.  Libby assured him that whatever happened, it was still going to be special.  Libby is really not sure what’s going on in his head, since his initial plans seemed to be falling apart.

December 7th comes around, and Marcus comes home from work with the mail in his hand.  He thumbs through it and gives a big “hmph”, which Libby hears in the other room.  “What?” she asks, and he replies “Well, the bill for the ring came today…now I just wish the actual ring would show up!”  Libby was a little disappointed, knowing the original plan couldn’t come through, whether or not Marcus was going to propose at their anniversary dinner.

So Libby waits a day for their special meal, thinking it will be a great date, a great anniversary dinner, and nothing more.  Little did she know that Marcus’s remark about the ring not showing up was a smokescreen - the jeweler had screwed up, but over-nighted our little package so it would show up on time.

The waiter seats us, we order drinks, and soon the salad comes out.  We start eating and talking about random things when suddenly a song comes on the stereo that is one of our favorite Christmas songs.  Libby gets a big smile on her face and says “hey, do you hear that?” “Yeah, it’s Mannheim Steamroller,” he replies with a little smirk.  Libby simply thinks it’s really cool and they continue their conversation.  But a few minutes later, another song plays, and now Libby knows Marcus is up to something.  An italian restaurant wouldn’t have the Gondola Ride from Final Fantasy VII in their playlist.  She gives him a confused look and doesn’t know what to say.  Marcus smiles and says “I just wanted to make this night special.”

Libby is speechless and doesn’t say much throughout the song, even though she has the biggest smile plastered on her face.  The song ends, and one more plays.  Our song.  Libby is nearly in tears as she takes a couple more bites of salad, unable to say anything.  Marcus takes this opportunity to stand up, and come over to Libby’s side of the table.  He bends down, takes a small box out of his pocket, opens it and says “Libby, will you marry me?”  Through tears and a mouthful of salad, Libby nods her head, says “Yes!” and embraces Marcus.  We cling to each other as he puts the ring on my finger, and I grab my oversized napkin to dry my eyes.

So dinner was wonderful.  And later I find out the table of ladies in the next room knew about the proposal and were eavesdropping and taking peeks at us.  When they see me so surprised with Marcus on his knee, one of them said “Is crying good?” and they reply “Yeah, crying is good!”

Libby doesn’t remember much else that night, distracted by the new sparkle on her finger.  She remembers calling her parents, retelling the story to the soon-to-be new family, and hearing Marcus retell the story to his soon-to-be family.  Now we await the big day with anticipation.  And we will share our song, which has become the theme of our wedding, the Bond of Sea and Fire.