Several weeks ago, I received a Facebook message from my friend Rachel informing a group of us that she & her new husband were visiting College Station & wanted to celebrate her birthday with Salsa dancing. Of course I said yes! I hadn’t been in so long that it was high time that we go. But first, Jake & I had a formal to go to.
Jake’s sister is part of the Philadelphia Sisters & Friday night, after a delightfully romantic take-out dinner of Subway in the corner of the Astin Mansion, Jake & I manned a photo booth for a few hours.
Saturday, after a wonderful lunch at Fuego, Jake played video games while I stressed over taxes. Five hours later, I finally hit a breakthrough & we celebrated by going on a walk. I know, we’re super exciting people. Side note: Quickbooks is awful. Don’t use it.
We met up with a few people for dinner, then headed home to get ready for Salsa. We had two hours before we had to be there at 10, but because I was feeling tired, I debated on taking a shower. I was just going to get sweaty again, so why bother? “You sure?” Jake kept asking. “No, let’s just go watch Once Upon a Time, then I’ll go change clothes.” I don’t know if it was planned or not, but Jake’s roommate had commandeered the TV & Once Upon a Time wasn’t an option. I finally went back to Jessie’s & showered. It’s a good thing I did.
Salsa was wonderful, as usual, & after a few open dance floor songs had played, Jake & I decided we were tired & hot, so we stepped outside. Two feet from the door, Jake suddenly whips out a journal & smiles, “I want to read you something.” “…ummm…ok? But let’s move down the sidewalk a little bit.”
Jake starts reading, “July 31, 2012.” What happened on July 31? I don’t remember that date…? Hmmm… By this time, he was halfway through the first paragraph & I was totally lost. From the few words I was hearing, I finally realized “Oh my gosh! Is he proposing?!?!”
“I apologize in advance for how long it will actually take for me to ask you to marry me.”
Oh. It’s not happening. But this is still sweet!
What I hadn’t realized was that this entire journal entry was written on July 31, 2012. In other words. YES, IT WAS HAPPENING. Then, I looked up & saw a camera poking around the corner. WILL??!?!?!?!!
As Jake pulled me down the sidewalk & down the steps, I noticed some musicians set up. I kind of dismissed it with a “Oh, it’s Bryan, people are always playing instruments on the sidewalk. NO WAIT! I KNOW THEM ALL!”
By the time I realized Jake was actually proposing, I kind of quit listening. Not because I wanted to, but because I was in such a state of shock! I’m sure what he was saying was beautiful & well rehearsed. In the photo above, I actually remember telling myself to pull my hands away from my mouth so I would end up with photos of my full face. Always aware of the cameras!
So, in the end, I found out that Rachel’s Facebook message to everyone was all Jake’s idea. She took it a step further & included people on the list that I didn’t know so that I wouldn’t get suspicious. Jake’s sister had treated me to a mani/pedi on Friday as “payment for doing her hair & makeup for the formal.” My sister Ellen was extremely sneaky in helping me pick out an outfit to wear Saturday & masterfully handled my sudden how-funny-would-it-be-if-Jake-proposed-because-my-nails-are-done comment. Excellent work was done by all.
Some celebratory photos with the family!
Many thanks to Will Todd for being there on this incredibly important day. And good job to Jake for completely taking me by surprise!
