Below is an excerpt from what I wrote in a notebook the day after the proposal while flying over the Atlantic. Naturally, it was magical.
I am engaged!
I can't stop
glancing at my ring every few minutes. My engagement ring. Because I
am engaged.
It is weird to want something for
so long and then finally get it. Suddenly it doesn't feel real, like
it can't happen yet because you're used to waiting. Here's how it
happened:
Christopher and I spent our Spring break in Paris
and London. I was so excited to go and by this, the last day, would
be sad to leave. Leading up to the moment, I was cold and frustrated.
The Shakespeare and Company bookstore didn't have my favorite—East
of Eden by Steinbeck—so I had walked out with The Hunchback of
Notre Dame. This selection would prove to be prophetic as Christopher
led me back to Notre Dame, claiming there were a few pictures of the
edifice he wanted to take. As we walked in the wind, he asked if I
had enjoyed our trip, to which I responded in the affirmative. He
then asked if I would like to take such trips with him in the future and I said I wanted to take all the trips with him (all
the trips!). I really wasn't understanding what he was getting at and to his persistent, "So, you'd like to take trips with me for the rest of my life?" I half impatiently, half confusedly responded, "Yes..."
He then stopped me in front of the cathedral and
said, “Good, because I have a very important question for
you.” And bending to his knee he asked, “Will you marry me?”
At
“important question” my knees began to shake or, as I told him
later, began to feel all “wibbly-wobbly.” When he opened the box
my eyes snapped to the ring and back to his face and I'm pretty sure
the first thing I said was, “Face!” (what we often call each
other). I think he may have prompted me to answer and I said, “Well,
yes!” as if it was entirely obvious (it was wasn't it?).
With
an answer given, he stood and slid the ring onto my finger (which
felt weird, because it was finally
happening, it was the
moment). Cheering girls (who began their racket when he went down on one knee)
were joined by several others and the applause seemed to surround me.
High above us, Notre Dame's bells pealed, announcing 7 o'clock.
Camera shutters sounded like quick whispers and Christopher caught an
American woman who took more photos and promised to send them to us later.
“Congratulations!” was shouted from all around and the woman's
husband asked if I was nervous (I was laughing and smiling as I said
yes, but once a whole bunch of people started cheering and the rings
was being put on, I had burst into tears and buried my face in his
chest). “Yes!” I cried, but I think I was mostly flustered. Everything
seemed at once too real and too dreamlike. The sounds were sharp but
my vision blurred with happy tears. He, of course, could only grin.
He handled the situation far better than I, I think.
After our
pictures were taken, we still had some time until we needed to leave
for a music performance at the Opera house, so I suggested we go
inside Notre Dame to sit (total weak knees). What better way to start
an engagement than Mass? There were no seats to be found, as it was absolutely packed, so I led the
way up to the statue of St. Therese, my Confirmation saint, which we had seen earlier on the
trip. Standing by her made me happy and relaxed (we got a photo),
though I was still quite stunned.
As we walked out I began to
ask questions.
“When did you get the ring? You planned this all along? What do I
do now? Has this been in your pocket the whole trip?” In addition
to asking questions, I also wanted him to keep telling me what
happened: he told me to wear the ring for a week and see how it fit
and I said, “I'm sorry, you want me to wear what for a week?” Oh
right, my engagement ring. Because I am engaged.
Concerning the ring, it is very pretty. Slim white gold band with three square cut diamonds (the middle one slightly bigger) and sets of three circular diamonds on either side. It is simple and completely fitting. I like it more and more every time I look at it.
I liked many little details most. Seven: On the seventh day and at seven in the evening it happened and we took the seven metro line after to the Opera after. Catholicism: He proposed not at a cheesy location, but in a notable one in front of a beautiful church on Palm Sunday (and I would join the Church only a week later). That is a great way to ask! It seemed a fitting location too because Notre Dame was our first destination when we arrived. The Church is a starting point! :)
We are on the plane now and I keep looking over at Christopher sleeping in the chair next to me. I am so happy he asked and so thrilled that I get to spend my life with him. I am excited about what our lives will be like and cannot wait to travel and learn and create and live with him at my side.
I'm engaged! And the ring is pretty! I am a lucky girl. :)
