So, it’s been a little while… but, I realized that I needed to finish documenting the happiness.
OK. So my love life had been progressing in a most lovely way, lovely enough that I had reason to believe that I would soon be engaged to my Handsome Man, and that it would happen in good old New Hampshire. I’d try to imagine how and when, over and over in my mind… but I was always wrong. So, Thursday June 25th came around, and I had just finished convincing and unconvincing myself that it would happen that day.
The day started out lazy and a little late, with breakfast on the porch in the sunshine. Egg on toast. Then, we got in the car and drove for a good while, in search of the Kancamangus Highway… which I have come to decide is in competition with the Pacific Coast Highway for the most beautiful stretch of road in the nation. The car took us even more into the middle of nowhere, and there were even more trees and rivers and beautiful things. I was thoroughly enjoying it. Windows down, singing along to the radio, and snuggling up to the shoulder of the one I love. We were in search of the perfect picnic and waterfall spot.. in my opinion a perfect proposal location.
We started to go up the mountain and the scenery got even more beautiful. We stopped at a place with a nice view and began our picnic. It didn’t matter that we were fending off gigantic ants, we were in love. The rain started coming down hard, but it didn’t matter either. We were in love. We ran for cover and finished up lunch, then after some sweet conversation, made a mad dash for the car and set off for the beach and dinner reservation. No proposal. No big deal… I told myself that it was for the weekend, and let my mind focus on the wonderful company and scenery.
After a quick stop at home, we got back into the car and headed for the coast. I don’t care what other people say… East Coast beaches are not cold. They are lovely. We played in the water a while and then laid in the sun. We almost missed our dinner reservations, so there was no time to change properly into our dinner clothes. We wore them over our swim suits. With beach hair, sandy toes, and wet butts, we walked into the Ashworth by the Sea where we were served by our waitress friend. I was told we were there to surprise her… she didn’t look surprised but I shrugged that off. I ordered salmon and my Handsome Man ordered halibut, and over delicious sea food, we had sweet conversation in the candle light.
Once we’d finished eating, our friend came out and happily announced that because we were all pals, we could get free dessert! I liked the way that sounded. She took away our plates and returned some time later with goodies– cheesecake. She gave my Man his first, lowering it slowly onto the table. Then, it was my turn… only it took like 89903452 million years for my plate to hit the table. When it finally arrived, she booked it. I looked down and my eyes became dangerously close to falling out and landing on the table because……….. perfectly placed among strawberries and cake was the most beautiful and loving surprise of my life. It was time. The ring was there, shining in its diamond glory. I gasped, looked up, and met the most loving gaze I’d ever seen. Then, around he came, with a single rose (that came from out of nowhere… and might I add, there is nothing sexier than a man with a single rose…), got down on one knee, and with gentle conviction asked, “Will you marry me?”
To which I replied, “Yes. Yes, of course.” We kissed softly and took in the moment, both dazed and pleased at the arrival of such great happiness.
Surprise #3: the proposal.
[RACHEL]
