I No Longer Have a Boyfriend
Because, as of about 3pm on November 3rd, he became my fiancee!
This really is an event for everyone! Some of you have anticipated this moment for years. Others didn't even know me before I was with Jeff. Well, it finally happened! Jeff and I dated for just shy of 500 weeks before he proposed. (We promise the wedding will occur before another 500 have passed. Thank you for your patience ^_~)
How He Asked Me
I arrived in Houston about 2pm.
"I'm starving. But I don't want to eat too much and spoil dinner."
"Yeah, we're going out to dinner tonight."
"Oh yeah? Where?"
"It's a surprise."
"Huh?...Why...?"
(grins)"Quit asking questions."
"Haha, well fine!"
(Jeff made me a corndog with ketchup and mustard)
And he even writes me songs from time to time.
(Jeff casually strumming guitar, as usual)
(jokingly) "Play me a rock song!"
"Okay."
(I flop at the foot of the bed, opposite where he is sitting.)
"Actually, I wrote you a song. I've been practicing it right here."
"Aww... baby..."
(Jeff pulls his harmonica holder over his neck and hands me a sheet of paper.) "Lyrics."
By this time I am wondering what is up.
You might be able to see the words if you click the picture and enlarge it. I feel certain they won't have the same effect on you as they had on me, because it is one thing to read sweet passages and quite another to have the love of your life singing them to you. Anyway, here are the lyrics:
sacred light
shine all your light on me
give me your darkest nights
and brightest of days
and I will promise to keep them always
Heather Elaine
sacred lovegive up your heart to melet me take care of itas we live out our daysand I will promise to keep it alwaysHeather Elainesacred heartyou're all there is to meI breathe to your heartbeatI dream to your sleepI love with your lovethat you give to me...Yeah, I was tearing up halfway through the song. It was really pretty. But then he holds the last chord, reaches behind his back, and sings the last line (not on the lyrics sheet) while placing the box between us on the bed.
...Will you marry me?
I said yes. I was crying so much my mascara was everywhere. What a surprise.
Changed Plans
He told me he'd been planning to ask me sometime after graduation this December. But a few weeks ago I sent him a care package in the mail full of thoughtful things (namely a coat). He said that when he saw it on the table all covered in stickers he thought to himself "Wait... what am I waiting for?" and contrived to ask at the next possible opportunity.
We were actually supposed to attend the Smashing Pumpkins concert this weekend in Dallas. He'd been calling and emailing people trying to get permission to ask me on stage. They eventually told him no, and then actually ended up canceling the show due to the drummer having chest pains.
I think his song was better than the Pumpkins. We laughed about it later. He said his friends were trying to get him to take me out to a lake or something, but obviously that would have been extremely suspicious if he was trying to drag me down to the waterfront with the guitar in tow. I am not particularly demanding when it comes to romance, and never have been. But I was surprised and I was touched and I couldn't really have asked for a sweeter proposal.
Phonecalls!
For a while we just lay back on the bed, taking stupid pictures and talking about how to tell everyone. His family and friends knew he was going to ask, but there were still several million other souls still unaware of our bliss.
We contemplated the sad fact that people today would probably find out fastest if we changed our Facebook relationship status. We got my family on speakerphone first, then a few friends, aunts and uncles, his extended family, on and on. I wished I had time to let everyone know personally, but we were really busy and only had a few minutes to spare for a few people before his own family came home. Then it was hugs and pictures and congratulations. Julie and I are going to be sisters!
Dinner
To celebrate we went out to Amerigo's and had one of the nicest dinners I've ever eaten. We definitely spent more money than we ever did on our anniversaries. Of course, I got some strange looks from the other faces around the dimly lit room when I choked on my appetizer. I dipped my tiny bread in the olive oil and herbs, chewed and swallowed, and somehow managed to suck a single hot pepper flake into my trachea. I had to go to the bathroom and cough for ten minutes to dislodge it, since until that time it literally burned to breathe.
But yeah, after that whole asphyxiation thing the evening went well. Exquisite wine and food, and the best possible company.
Afterwards we drove downtown to his aunt's house where they were hosting a birthday party for his mother and grandmother. All the family hugged on me and gave their congratulations, and his grandmother grabbed my hands and exclaimed "Finally! I've waited for this day for so long!" and demanded I begin producing great-grandchildren for her. I waved away her requests but she laughed and said "I just want to rock them before I die!!!" Oh God.
Our Plans
We haven't set a date yet. In fact, we probably won't start really thinking about it until Jeff graduates next month. He wants to be married before next December (13 months) but we don't know how soon it will actually be feasible. He'll be getting a job, I'll be working, we'll have to figure out where in the South to hold this party, and I have to start picking out all the frills associated with weddings. (But let it be known that my primary concern IS to have a good party. The service itself is fun and all, but the reception is where it's at.)
Okay, it's late now, and I'm getting tired. I hope that was thorough enough for everyone! I promise to keep you all posted on the details!
Oh my gosh. I'm still overwhelmed.
