Proposal Story, Part II

This past December I was secretly expecting something big to happen in my and Nathan's life.  Yet our anniversary and Christmas had come and gone, being pleasant but not holding the special moment I had hoped for.  My man and my parents had a few mysterious conversations and "errands" right before Christmas, and I started to suspect something was going on.

On December 27th Nathan took me to Longwood Gardens.  We spent the whole day exploring the huge gardens, greenhouses, tree houses, and hidden paths.  I was in absolute heaven, especially during the magical moment we found an old stone bell tower that happened to be chiming just as we walked the tiny tree-lined path leading to it.  The weather wasn't ideal, yet the rain made me feel we were enjoying a stormy day straight out of a Frances Hodgson Burnett novel.  At one point I teased him that it was a perfect day to propose to me.  The face he made caused me to immediately apologize and tell him (truthfully) that I was having an incredible time and was only teasing him.

Late in the afternoon as we left the grand conservatory on the Longwood property and headed into the chilling rain and wind, we decided to stop at the outdoor theatre water fountains on our way to the car.  As we waited, I was struck by the ludicrousness of waiting to see a water show while standing in a violent rain storm.  I suggested we go, but Nathan insisted we stay, and so we watched a few rounds of water fountains variations set to different Christmas tunes.  At one point, I turned and found him looking at me very oddly, while standing very oddly.  I asked him "why are you acting weird?" at which he exclaimed "I am not acting weird!"  We were surrounded by people young and old also observing the show (and the storm) and I took pictures of the fountains until we both decided it was time to leave.

He chose a path back to the parking lot that led us through a completely empty and cozy garden filled with benches, trellises and brick paths. I was hurrying to the car on his arm while he carried an umbrella, and suddenly he stopped.  I turned back to look at his face, and when he started the speak I burst into tears as I realized what was happening!   He was holding the umbrella in one hand and the ring in the other, and I stared at him, shocked and ecstatic.  I'm not going to divulge the exact words, but the way in which he asked was eloquent, beautiful, and brief (classic Nathan :-)).  I was crying so hard I couldn't answer, and when I tried to stop crying I started to laugh and still couldn't answer!  But finally I said "yes, yes!!" and we held each other (and kissed a whole bunch. :-) :-p)  Eventually I asked "Can I wear it now?" (the ring) and then I cried and kissed him some more and then I asked to call my mom.  I couldn't even operate my phone I was freaking out so much, so he dialed the call for me.  While I was talking to her the wind blew our umbrella inside out.  Just imagine us in the middle of this storm, me crying and laughing like an idiot on the phone and he wrestling with an inside-out umbrella, and both happy! 

The End of Engagement Story, but just the beginning for lots more adventures.  Together. <3

P.S.  I dare my husband-to-be to tell his version.  I like when he tells stories. :-) *update* You can read his side of the story on his blog (and it's "pretty ballin'!")