Posts Tagged ‘keeping the proposal a surprise’
Proposal Surprise at Sugar Tree Inn ~ Valerie & Andrew
I was mid-week into a new job and Andrew asked if I would like to have a night to ourselves and go out to dinner on Friday (July 23 2010). I was also gearing up for a week away from home at a music gathering in North Carolina. Things were so hectic and I welcomed getting wined and dined on a Friday night. I came home from work on Friday, threw a dress on and hopped into the car. We were off to the Sugar Tree Inn for dinner, or so I thought.
We have gone to bed & breakfasts in the past just for dinner, and I had so much else on my mind that I didn’t think a thing about it. We were a little early to our reservation so we sat on the porch of the Inn, watched the hummingbirds and looked out at the mountains. I could already tell it was going to be a relaxing evening, one that I needed with everything else going on. We enjoyed an incredibly romantic and intimate dinner at the Inn, and towards the end of the meal one of the owners of the Inn came to our table and said, “If you two want to go stroll around the grounds we have a cabin open that you can look at.” Was she reading my mind? That’s exactly what I wanted to do! I love looking and planning for future trips. This was perfect! We got up from the table and I leaned over and asked Andrew if we should pay for the bill now and then go walking. He told me not to worry about it and that we would pay it when we get back. Well, I just couldn’t wrap my head around walking out of a restaurant and not paying the bill. I pressed on in my worry wart fashion, eventually asking the Inn keeper herself if we needed to settle the bill. ”Oh, no honey, we can take care of that when you get back”. Well, what a nice, trusting woman.
We walked past one of the cabins & Andrew spotted a little path up into the woods. “Let’s go walk up here. I think this is the little lookout that I heard another table talking about”. We made our way, hand in hand up the path. Sure enough, there was a beautiful lookout through the trees where the sun was setting over the Blue Ridge Mountains. We stood together for a few minutes, Andrew behind me with his arms wrapped around. It was only then that I noticed something. Andrew’s heart was going a million miles per our. I could feel it pounding straight through me. I thought to myself, this can’t be from walking up this little hill. Then his right arm kept jiggling around in his pocket. The first time I brushed it off. And then it hit me. This is it. It’s coming! How could I have not seen this coming from a mile away? He pulled the ring around in front of me and asked me to marry him. I turned around, gasping and crying and watched him drop to a knee. I managed to finally say “yes” through all of my tears and astonishment. Then he told me that the cabin was ours for the night and I let out a scream. How did he pull all of this off without me knowing?!
Just seeing the ring brought so many emotions out. My Mamaw gave me her mother’s ring the last time I was able to see her alive. I had kept it safely with Andrew, waiting and wondering when he would slip it on my finger. It is a constant reminder of her love. I found out later that Andrew had made a trip to Christopher William Jewelers the week prior and had it set into a beautiful 18K white gold setting from Hearts on Fire. We spent a bit of time on the phone with family and friends before spending the rest of the night in complete excitement, ready to start the rest of our lives together. A trip to Christopher William Jewelers was made the next day to thank them for all of their help! It was a night that completely surprised me and one I will never forget.
Congratulations Valerie & Andrew! We are so happy for you two and wish you all the best in life.We couldn’t imagine a more perfect couple! Enjoy every moment…
“How in-the-know should I go with the Proposal?”
When you get on bended knee, it’s optimum to have discussed the idea of marriage beforehand. It’s imperative you’re both on the same page regarding your long term vision for your lives as individuals and as a couple. Key life goals/preferences are also important to discuss, like where you want to live, what religion you want to raise your children with, your financial backgrounds and having kids, for instance.
If you’ve never had any practical discussions before The Moment, your hopeful bride-to-be may be taken off guard. She just might hesitate to say yes, if not even giving an “I’ll think about” disaster of a response. It’s best to get your ducks in a row and communicate with your significant other before popping the question. You can keep things more general and ambiguous, like you’re just throwing raw thoughts and dreams into the air, or you can get specific if that’s you and yours’ style. There is no right or wrong way to discuss your future lives together, it’s simply important to try and check expectations, find common ground, and resolve any future issues or disputes before they become huge problems. It will be helpful for both of you, establishing shared vision and easing mutual concerns or unknowns. You know her better than I do, so go with your gut and just try to space your questions and discussions far apart from The Proposal itself.
But Shouldn’t It Be A Surprise?
Don’t get me wrong. Just because I appear to approach marriage and The Proposal it requires from simply a pragmatic standpoint doesn’t mean I’m saying throw romance out the window. It’s ok if your girlfriend is expecting the “season” or “period” of the The Proposal, but not the day itself. Think outside the box and don’t give away too much. Find a way to surprise her and you’ll be proud of the story she’ll no doubt tell everyone in the coming weeks, months, and years.
What About Choosing The Ring?
I don’t know many brides that would want their lover to propose to them empty-handed. But I also know that many want to be an active part of which ring they will be wearing for the rest of their lives. So how do you keep The Proposal a surprise while pleasing your partner’s discriminating tastes and preferences? Plan ahead, keep it clean, and try to get specific, but not too specific. It’s ok to visit a few jewelry stores and casually discuss what’s appealing and what’s not with your girlfriend. You want to know her ring size, you want to know which shapes she prefers, where her expectations lie, and what makes her smile. Just don’t let this gathering process drag on too long and try to space your research far enough apart from your purchase and subsequently your Proposal. Remember, plan early, execute smoothly, and surprise your future wife with an engagement to remember.
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