The Adnostic

I went with Erika and Jen to the Huntington Library and Gardens to celebrate a belated birthday for Ms. Erika. We walked around the gardens, gently meandering through the photography exhibit, the old mansion and portrait gallery, the rose garden, and then finally the Japanese garden.

It wasn't until I was carefully taking a picture of a lone painted koi that I felt a hand on my back and a voice asking if there was room for him in that picture.

"Yeah, just hold on a sec." I said. Meanwhile thinking to myself, 'Who is this creep and why won't he just take the picture and go away? I probably know him and can't place the voice.'

After I took the shot, I turned around and there was Dave. I was shocked. I wasn't expecting him until next week. "What are you doing here?" I asked, "How did you get here?"

"Wait. I'll answer all those questions, but you have to let me do this first."

Then I couldn't stop giggling and then I realized that I couldn't stop crying either. It's a strange feeling to be laughing and crying at the same time, but when you've been waiting for this moment from this person for over two years it's the only appropriate emotional response.

"I've been running through things to say in my head for the last hour, but none of it matters. I love you and you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Will you marry me?"

He got down on one knee to take out the ring and I got down with him (I never liked the idea of your partner for life kneeling before you). I said yes and he put the ring on my finger, I held his face, kissed him, told him I loved him again, started crying again, and then we hugged.

So that was how Dave managed to surprise me and how I became engaged to be married. His mom asked if I was happy with how it happened and I said that I only planned to get engaged once, so I'm glad it happened this way.

A big thanks to my sneaky friends - Jen (with her account of the event), Erika, Alicia, and Tony. You kept the secret all too well and I never saw it coming.

And Dave - I love you, you completely rose to the occasion, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.