Engagement: How it Happened

The fruition of our love, happiness, a pair in the solitude of the night lying on a wind and wave thrashed beach. The beach is called Love Professed on the day marking one year of our love. The grass and sand, the waves and wind, the trees and the crabs were our witnesses. “My Love, it’s been a year since we danced... Our love forged in adversity, polished in peace, bathed in delight…History has asked us to reflect, but the future begs us to dream. Do you wish to wed?”
“Yes.”
“Will you?” … hugs…kisses…
“Yes!”…

On November 2nd 2006 we went swing dancing. It was our first date. Today it is one year later; it’s a day of celebration. Today we look back at our history and ahead to our dreams. We begin our night with a picnic I planned. The evening is breezy but crisp, powerful and beautiful. We go to Gandview, our favorite beach. It is a special place for us. During some trying times we walked its shores seeking peace and growing together. Indeed it is the place where we spoke our love into the hearts of each other for the first time several months earlier. It is our most treasured refuge. Our picnic is delicious. I brought her favorite meal, Olive Garden chicken fettuccini alfredo, salad, breadsticks, grapes, Lambrusco, and for dessert, chocolate. After our meal we walk the shoreline. The wind is strong. It pushes the waves far up the beach. We dance between them as they chase our feet then we wonder at their power and God's as they crash over the rocks. They are stronger then we have ever seen them. We arrange our blanket under some smooth weathered trees that line the shore. The sky is beautiful, deep dark purple and grey with clouds and bits of stars twinkling through. We stare up and reminisce about our lives together. I remember the delights of the year. She reminds me of our first date, first long hug, and first kiss. We dream of the future. I ask her if she likes dreams of a life with me. “Would you enjoy spending life with me My Love?” “Yes” she says. “Will you?” Her face cannot contain her smiles. They nearly knock her over. I will never forget her face, ever. I pull her ring from my pocket and slip it on her finger. It sparkles in the night light. “Will you marry me?” “Yes!” she says. We walk the shore hand in hand chasing the waves, watching the crabs, making our most treasured memories, me and My Betrothed.