It was Fourth of July weekend 2005. Evan told me that he had made an appointment for me to get my nails done. "Hmm," I thought it could finally be the day." He sent me off to my appointment.
When I got back to the house Evan handed me a bouquet of beautiful flowers. He was just finishing up dinner and pulled out my chair for me at the table. He put the flowers in a vase on the table and served the most amazing meal, surf and turf. He had grilled filets, shrimp and asparagus as well as a tomato salad with fresh mozzarella cheese and basil drizzled with a dressing.
Evan and I enjoyed a bottle of pinot noir with our dinner, but he rushed me by saying we were behind schedule. I questioned him about what schedule and where we were going but he wouldn't share any details.
After we finished dinner he threw me in his truck and drove out into the country. We then hiked on a trail we had often visited to the cliffs. When we reached the cliffs it was sunset. It was there that Evan told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He pulled out the diamond engagement ring and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes. We hugged, kissed and embraced for a long time. I admired the beautiful ring. We strolled back to the truck arm in arm.
After we got back on the main road heading into town we decided to go get a drink at a local restaurant. We had martinis and dessert then headed for home. How could life get any better?
When we got home Evan asked me to meet him on the deck. I took our dog outside and sat down. He quickly emerged with a bottle of champagne and strawberries. He opened the bottle, poured me a glass of champagne then fed me a strawberry. He then excused himself again and headed into the yard. He had fireworks (my most favorite thing on earth!) all set up and lit the box. We sat and finished the champagne and strawberries and watched our personal fireworks show. It was amazing!
We are looking forward to an outdoor wedding on Mackinac Island in Michigan in July, 2006!
A. M. B., Columbia, Missouri
It was the night of our softball season opener. Steve & I have played ball on the same team for 6 years. Our season opener was actually a double header and the team we were playing (both games) has some of our very dear friends on it.
Well, here we are -- top of the second inning. I go up to the batter's box & take my stance - totally focused. In my mind, I'm saying, "Ok, I'm gonna place this one in right center. I'm gonna burn this guy. [It's a men's league, so almost all the other players are "guys"]. So I'm waiting for the pitcher to give me the pitch, and I'm waiting... and waiting... and waiting. Next thing I know, the umpire says to me, "Relax, batter. This is my time." My first thought was after all these years of playing ball, I've never heard an umpire say those words. So, I'm confused and step out of the batter's box. I turn to my left & look back at my coach as if to say, "What's this fool talking about?" The next thought that went through my mind was, "Did I bat out of order or something?"
I turn back to home plate and there is Steve on one knee -- on home plate. The next thought in my muddled little brain is, "What the h*ll are you doing?" Still oblivious, I just stared at him. He said, "Babe, I need you to drop the bat. I need your hand." Believe it or not, I STILL didn't get it. I dropped the bat as requested, stepped forward and gave him my hand.
He pulls out a jeweler's box, opens it and says, "Mary Lynn, will you marry me?" First off, he NEVER calls me by my name -- it's either "Babes," "Honey," or some other pet name. My jaw dropped and I burst into tears! Apparently, everyone -- and I do mean EVERYONE -- there was in on this; the spectators, the umpire, our team and the opposing team! After saying yes, I proceeded to sob on home plate. From what I'm told, everyone was cheering & laughing and loving it all. I didn't hear or see anything other than Steve and the ring. The other phenomenal part of this is, Steve has a borderline phobia about speaking in public - he detests -- and I do mean detests -- being the center of attention. What a truly awesome moment for us!
I wanted each of you to feel as if you were there - it was by far the most amazing, touching, beautiful gesture I've ever been blessed with! So, gals, we're official...with 150 witnesses, he sure can't back out now!
M. L., Albuquerque, New Mexico
One evening my wonderful boyfriend sent me a gift to my home. When I got there there was a huge box on my bed with some gorgeous orange lilacs wrapped in a bow. I opened the box and there was a dress and some really cute shoes all from Dulce and Gabana. I put it on and called my chocolate honey.
He gave me an address and told me to meet him there. I went and it was a condominium residence, I went inside and told the man my name and he told me to go to the 23rd floor (we'd been together 23 months).
When I got there it was a beautifully furnished condo. I searched around it puzzle until finally a got to a room with pind and red drapes in front of the door. I went in and he was sitting there in this gorgeous room with a table set for two and candles and two fireplaces. He told me this was our new home and proposed!
We ate dinner and drank wine and ate chocolate covered strawberries in our amazing Jacuzzi tub. it was FANTASTIC!!!!!
C. A., New York City, New York
I met my fiance, Mark, in first grade where we 'fell in love'. We have always had a thing for each other and I always knew we would get married. We went all throughout grade school with each other and then did not talk at all until 12th grade when we had gym class together.
After we graduated I called him one night (totally out of the blue) to see if he wanted to come to the boardwalk with my friend me. About 2 months later we started dating, and I knew it would be for a very long time.
Mark and I both race dirtbikes (he got me into that). We both had a cycle race in Delaware on April 30, 2006. My whole family and my friends were there. My mom, dad, brother, his girlfriend, my mom and pop, Marks mom, my mom's friend and her son, my best friend and her boyfriend, my cousin and her fiancé. I was coming out of the woods during my second lap and there he was holding out a pit board asking 'will you marry me?'
I was so stunned I didn't know what to do! I kept going (I WAS in the middle of a race). I did not answer him until about an hour later when I finally got back to the truck when the race was over. Of course I said YES! It was the neatest thing ever! I was so happy and could not believe the ring. He had picked it out all by himself. It is beautiful!
N. H., Port Norris, New Jersey
My fiancé asked me earlier in the week if we could make that Friday a "Date Night." I agreed and that Friday we went into Red Bank and had an amazing and extremelly romantic dinner. Through out dinner I kept saying lets go to Atlantic City. At first, he did not want to go, which was very peculiar if you know him, but after some drinks and smiles he agreed, but asked if we could just stop home first and change. When we arrived home and I opened the door to our 6 month new home, is a sight that will live with me forever. There are two hundred candles lit on the dinning room table, on the end tables, around the li fireplace and up the stairs , sixteen dozen roses spread around the downstais and rose pedals everywhere!!He had his brother and friends of our set up the entire house while we were at dinner.He told me to open the bottle of champagne while he put on music. Then he grabbed me and held me in front of our fireplace and he got down on one knee he asked me to be his wife.
D. E., Tinton Falls, New Jersey
My fiancé came over to my family's house for thanksgiving. After thanksgiving we always play charades...I love charades...I am a a dork I know. So anyway He and I were on the same team...and He Got up and and improved the phrase Will you marry me... I was so excited after guessing the phrase corerectly I was completely oblivious to what I was saying. Then he pulled out this massive rock...and got down on one knee and asked...sowill you marry me!!! I thought I was going to die. I knew right then and there that he was the one for me. He never ever played charades before that day...Now that's our thing. I love him for that.
C. G., West Palm Beach, Florida
