i think i wanna marry you

The Proposal Story:

Earlier in the week, Bill and I had discussed trying to fit in date night but didn’t settle on a specific night.  Wednesday, on my way home from work, I texted him about it and we agreed the next night (Thursday) would work.

I asked him several times where we were going, and he did not give me a suggestion.  Finally, I suggested Zim Zari (our favorite restaurant) because they do $3 sangria and $3 apps on Thursday nights.

He picked me up at the train station and we headed over for dinner.  After we finished eating he commented, "Can you believe it’s been almost a year since we sat here and decided to buy the house?" (This was the restaurant recommended to us by our Realtor the day we brought his parents to the house.  After taking our 2nd tour of it, we went to Zim Zari to eat lunch and discuss whether or not we wanted to make an offer.  So, this is the place where we decided to buy our house and also the restaurant where we pretty much take anyone who visits.)

I had not realized it had been almost a year since we started the whole house process.  Since we didn’t close until May and didn’t move in until August, it doesn’t feel like it’s been a year.  So, I said something like, "Oh my gosh, you’re right!  I can’t believe it’s been that long…crazy."

He then mentioned how this was a special restaurant to us and said, "I want to make it even more special."  When he stood up, I logically knew exactly what he was doing, but my mind couldn’t fathom that it was actually happening.

He kneeled down next to the table and said, "Charlotte Hunt Parrish…." and that’s all I remember!  All I know is I was crying buckets and he was down on one knee and he had a ring box in his hand that said "Hearts on Fire."  Hearts on Fire was a specific diamond we discovered back in April that only makes two cuts – round and square – in order to fully maximize the amount of light a diamond reflects (how SPARKLY it is!!).

As soon as he kissed me, the entire restaurant erupted in applause.  I cried even more.

The manager came over and said our meal was on the house that night and he wanted to know if he could get our names so they could post this on their Facebook page.

So, all in all, I would say I was surprised.  The thought had briefly crossed my mind the day before and once that night (he made me order dessert after dinner before he started the proposal, which he never does, so I wondered if there would be a ring on the dessert plate).  We were at the point where there was no way for him to COMPLETELY surprise me, but I definitely didn’t really see it coming that night.  

Still can’t believe we’re actually engaged, but it’s become less surreal now after both sides of our family demanding to see my hand/ring over and over again for the last two weeks.