Today’s writing is not about lessons learned. It is about happy memories that I write just to have down on paper for when I am older and things aren’t so easily recalled.
Today is an anniversary for me – one that I never thought I would see. 12 years have come and gone since the original event. A dozen, which is impressive since the longest I had ever stuck with anything, was the 9+ years in the military. Let’s face it, that was not something I could just walk away from – they frown on people going AWOL. These last 12 years have been totally by choice, and I would not give them up for anything.
Nancy and I had been dating for seven months. At the age of 40, I was over the moon knowing that I had finally found a person to be in my life. I was ready to take the leap. I quietly found a way to measure a ring of hers and made the purchase. We had plans to spend the Memorial Day weekend in beautiful Monterey, California. Based on comments she made, I felt pretty confident that I had pulled off the surprise.
My family knew especially my mom since the question would be popped on her birthday. I apologize to my father-in-law since I did not contact him ahead of time. So today, I ask, “Mr. Arlington? Is it with your blessing that I take your daughter’s hand in marriage?” I should have asked then, but I didn’t want anyone who talked with Nancy knowing.
The night finally came. We picked a nice restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf. A good meal, some wine, and a bulge in my pocket.
The conversation was light with a lot of laughs. At one point, Nancy hinted about us not getting any younger. A hint that she had used prior. I was prepared with my standard line. There were times that I had would hear Dr. Laura on the radio. I know a lot of people cannot stand her and her ways. I always found it interesting to hear the calls that would come in. The one thing I kept hearing her tell people was that they should date a year before taking the plunge. So when Nancy “hinted” again, I told her that Dr. Laura says one year.
Nancy pulled a fast one for which I was not prepared. She looked at me for a second, smiled, and said, “I wrote her.” What?!?!?!
I questioned whether this was a joke.
She then produced a printed copy of an e-mail. She had in fact written the show asking about this advice. I doubt Laura wrote the e-mail stated that at our mature age, we probably didn’t need to wait so long. I laughed and reached for the bulge.
The food was eaten and the wine was gone. It was time to leave the restaurant. I suggested that we stroll up to the end of the wharf to see the sunset. To my luck, the pier was empty except for a single couple at the other side.
We chatted. We looked at the waves striking the pier below. We took in the beauty of the sun setting in to the Pacific. It was quiet except for the calls of some seagulls. The time was right. I slipped the box out of my pocket while she looked west, to the future – our future. I silently dropped to a knee. She turned.
“Nancy. You are the person I was meant to be with. Will you be my best friend, my partner, my wife?”
Nancy let out a scream and hugged me like I have never been hugged. I could see the couple at the other end. The man started stepping towards us; I think he thought she was being attacked. The girl stopped him. She knew what was going on.
12 years ago this evening, this event took place. Yet when I close my eyes, I can still picture it perfectly. I can hear every sound. I can feel the warmth in my heart knowing that I finally had a person to be with me from that moment until eternity.
Thank you, Nancy for saying Yes.