The Proposal

Twelve years ago, Robb asked me to marry him. Twelve years ago, this weekend, actually.

Happy engagement anniversary to us.

Can I tell you how he asked me? Because I love this story.

Here's what happened first, five years before that.

The summer before I started high school, my dad chose an epic path to launch me into this next life stage: the stage of boyfriends, dating, values, priorities, and life decisions.

He took me out on a 'first date.'

We marked the calendar, I got a new outfit for the big event, and on the night of, my sweet dad left the house so he could then arrive and pick me up, his date for the evening. He rang the doorbell. He brought me flowers and candy. He really did. He started the evening right.

My dad made a reservation at the Riverfront Restaurant, and we sat at a table overlooking a waterfall. There was a balloon tied to my chair; there was a rose at my place setting.

Because that's my dad.

We spent an evening continuing the ongoing dialogue of my childhood: what is most important to you? Who do you know that you are? Let's talk about those things, remember what rests at your core, and take those pillars with you into your next life stage. He talked about the concepts of purity, of maintaining myself and my values for my husband.

And my dad gave me a ring. My promise ring. The gift forever symbolized this "first date," the reminders of who I know I am, what is most important to me, and the pillars of my values. I promised to wear it faithfully, to remind myself every day.

We finished the evening with a walk on the boardwalk, and my dad said, "I want you to remember this night. And anyone who takes you out on a date? Make sure he does this for you."

"Oh, Dad. No high school boys do stuff like this. They can't afford this restaurant, silly."

And his response was pretty defining: "Tricia, I don't care if he takes you to McDonald's and bowling. It's not about where you go. But he must treat you well. You are worth this."

Five years later, Robb entered my life. And in a whirlwind romance, he knew quickly that I was the one he wanted. He asked my dad for my hand in marriage, and he asked my dad to paint every detail of that "first date."

And then, Robb recreated the evening.

Same table, overlooking the waterfall. The exact same chair. A balloon was tied to my chair; a rose awaited me at my place setting.

And on our stroll on the boardwalk after dinner, Robb gave me a diamond ring. He knelt on one knee. He asked me to make him the happiest man in the world. He asked me to marry him.

I said yes. :)

He moved my promise ring to another finger, and he replaced it with his forever promise to me. I promised to wear it faithfully, to remember every day.

With his every action, he said, You are worth this.

Because that's the man I married.

(I love that story. And I really loved to hear him tell it.)