The Proposal
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Here's the story...as written right
before I left for Vietnam:
John can't surprise me. It has become a running joke of ours, this inability of his to pull off a surprise. And coming from a girl who loves surprises, this is a rather big deal. Classic example happened on Skype: "Oh Jennifer! I have the perfect idea for a surprise!!" "Oh really? Whats that?" "I can't tell you THAT...it'd ruin the surprise!" [long pause] "Okay, you'll find out tomorrow what the surprise is!"
Well, John, the good news is I'm a smart girl. The bad news is, I'm a smart girl. You either just ordered me pizza or flowers. I bet on flowers. And I'm usually right.
With that in mind, you - o reader - must proceed cautiously and carefully through the story that has become ours. Realizing that I love surprises, but am generally itching to figure out the surprise; oh, and John wants to surprise, but becomes so enthusiastic about the surprise, he just can't follow through with the element of...surprise.
It started Thursday evening, We were chatting on video as we normally do, catching up on the day and especially reflecting on my coming trip to Vietnam and all those preparations (I leave in less than 12 hours, as of this writing). As he prepared to sign off, John informed me that he wouldn't be able to chat the next evening because he'd be working on elements of my Christmas gift. Fair enough. Done deal.
Oddly, though, John got off early on Friday and after doing some errands, decided to call me. While I was at the gym. Huffing and puffing. And in a grumpy mood.
"Why can't you work on my Christmas present later? This is my last quiet evening at home! I want to be able to talk to you before I leave!" (I am fully aware I wasn't exactly...um...patient. But, in my defense, I did apologize almost immediately for my cattiness.
"Jennifer, I need to do this for you. I want you to get your present in time for Christmas and this is my only chance to prepare it!"
Lightbulb moment. SOMETHING was happening.
I got off the treadmill, went home, and announced to Kelly (my roommate): "John is acting weird. I can't figure out what he's up to! He's off working on my Christmas present so I can get it...BEFORE CHRISTMAS! Does he not realize I leave in 48 hours? All of them weekend hours? Its impossible!"
Calmly, distractedly, Kelly replied: "Maybe he's coordinating with Hien to mail you a gift in Vietnam?"
And then she went back to her researching.
All brain cells were now alerted. Truly. There's NO WAY Kelly wasn't going to jump ALL OVER the opportunity to, oh, I don't know... FIGURE IT OUT WITH ME! But she wasn't! What was up with that!
A hunch was growing, and I decided to test it.
After watching a movie with Mom and Kelly, I popped John a quick text and waited...and waited...
No response.
I checked the travelocity.com time table for flights from Seattle. Yes, I did. It matched up: the time he left his house, the time he stopped responding to texts, it was all coming together.
I slept a fitfull night Friday night, praying for him...thinking of his misery on a red eye flight...hoping all was going smoothly.
By the time I got up, I was trying to convince myself that nothing was up. That I was making it all up in my head. That there was nothing to be so paranoid about. But then Kelly was up at 7am baking for our party...which was going to start at 7pm...there was NO REASON for her to be up THAT early! But then...oh then..she told me she'd be going to her mom's to pick up some dishes and return some supplies. I - trying ot be a nice friend - gave her her Christmas present early: a set of dishes that meant she didn't have to go to her Mom's house. But she still said it: "I need to go to Mom's to return the supplies."
"AH HA! She's going to pick up John from the airport! I KNOW it!"
John sent an email at 730am..."Good morning! How are you?"
First, why was he emailing at 430am PST? Second, why was he so chipper? And third, what was he planning on doing today? And fourth, how did he sleep?
He didn't sleep well. A little bit, but not a lot. He plead the fifth (as only a Canadian can do) on his day's plans. And oh yes. He said a rushed "bye! talk to you later! gtg" at exactly 825am.
Ohhh. I was convinced. A night on the plane would mean not a lot of sleep.
Pleading the fifth is his way of not answering a question. (And of admitting American superiority, but thats another conversation altogether.)
A rushed and forced goodbye could only mean one thing: another plane to catch.
I went about my day carefully. I did my hair nicely. I chose an extra cute outfit. I worked a little extra hard to try to get ahead on the afternoon's todo list. John was coming and I needed to be ready!
After my photoshoot, I drove home...cautiously excited. I called Chrissy, knowing she wasn't part of the scheme and wanting to have SOMEONE listen to my story of woe and paranoia. She listened patiently. Asked a couple questions. And agreed: SOMETHING was happening. Her advice? If Kelly calls asking where you are, you KNOW something is up.
Ten minutes later, my Mom and Kelly called me...simultaneously...wondering where I was. I texted Chrissy the news. "All I know," she said, "Is you'd better be practicing your surprised face."
I got home to an empty house. Oh well. That must not be part of the plan. I worked on photos, ate some lunch, tidied the house, stood in front of the mirror practicing my surprised expression. And waited.
Kelly arrived. No John.
Kelly worked on cooking and decorating. No John.
John started emailing about his work day. How crazy it was. How he might be able to talk to me a little later on, after the party. But maybe not.
I got depressed.
Oh well. I guess I was wrong.
What a MAJOR letdown. I couldn't handle it. Kinda just didn't really feel like being happy anymore. No John today. I had known it was a far fetched idea. Truly, I had. But oh. It had been such a blissful thought.
I IM'd with Marian, telling her of my disappointment.
I told Kelly the story of how I had been convinced all day that she was scheming with John. I watched her face halfheartedly hoping for a response. But got nothing. So I was even more convinced. No John.
It was 330 and time for my hair cut.
I sat in the stylist's chair and told HER of my disappointment (you know it was true sadness when I was willing to tell my woes to the world at the salon. Seriously.)
I got home at 5:00 and just wanted to go to sleep. Too much emotional turmoil for one day. O so sad. John wasn't coming.
Oh well. At least we'd get to chat after he finished work.
Kelly and I were running behind. We needed more chairs for our party. The small-and-unattended party was suddenly turning into a big-and-possibly-crowded affair. Good thing Kelly had done all that cooking. Chairs would come in handy.
Now, as a caveat, as we were driving to Winston, I was gloomily looking out the window at the world rushing by while Kelly held a very meaningless conversation with Andy about outfits...and Christmas attire...and what he should wear...and...well...a lot of very trivial things. But the conversation lasted the whole way to Winston and Kelly and I hadn't talked at all.
We got lost near Salem Baptist. She called her Aunt Karen. "Oh, I turned down the wrong street. And now its blocked off. It'll take me a minute to get there. [pause] Oh! You're running late? Perfect. I don't feel so bad."
Our detour led us into Old Salem. A very crowded Old Salem. Lots and lots and lots of people were waiting for their Candle Tea. She turned toward the bakery.
I think I was the one who actually pointed to the bakery. Or maybe she did? All I remember saying is: "Wow, that's a long line for cookies!"
"You know...I REALLY need cookies for the party. Moravian cookies would be perfect! Why don't you stand in line and I'll go find a parking spot?"
I hopped out of the car. Muttering about bah-humbug. Scrooge was alive and kicking. Especially regarding anything and everything about this party.
Now, mind you, I hadn't exactly planned to be out in the cold. My jacket was barely warm. And - oh yes - I wasn't really thinking clearly since I was still so depressed that John hadn't showed up. I call it numbness.
So I stood in line. In the cold. Muttering complaints. I watched a BMW do a u-turn in the middle of the road and take Kelly's parking spot. "Why didn't SHE think of that? Sheesh."
We inched our way inside. At least it was warm now. Sheltered from the cold. But man. These cookies better be extra good. Cuz sheesh. This is ridiculous.
I kept turning around, looking out the door waiting for Kelly to come. I wanted her to be there before I needed to actually decide what to buy. I had no idea what she wanted. More grumbling. More complaining.
I turned around once more, sad, frustrated, complaining, cold, discouraged, numb.
I think I might've squealed. Or shrieked. Or jumped up and down. I vaguely remember everyone looking at me. I definitely remember saying over and over and over again: You're here! ohmyword. You're actually here!
My John was walking toward me. A huge grin on his face.
There was no practicing my surprised face.
That was gen-u-ine emotion right there, folks. Serious surprise.
The rest is a little fuzzy.
John said something about "lets go take a ride" and then we were out the door. In the cold. And up the steps before I realized what was happening...he had a horse drawn carriage waiting for us ....Oh THAT kind of ride!... and off we went.
I'm pretty sure I was still mumbling in shock. Yup, definitely was. "Ohmyword you're here! You're here! What are you doing here? You're actually here!" Over and over again. Yup. And over again.
At this point, I should've realized what was happening. But I was too busy being angry at Kelly for lying to me, angry at John for actually surprising me, angry at Chrissy for being part of plan A (before he realized I'd be in NC this weekend instead of DC), angry at my Mom for knowing all this was going on...and so so so glad they had all coordinated to make me feel so special.
I'm not sure I've ever felt so loved. Truly.
And then there it was. Laying in his hand. The most beautiful piece of sparkle I've ever seen in my entire life. And it fit. Perfectly. That takes talent, folks.
After I'd said yes (oh, of course I said yes)...I had to ask one more question:
"Why this one? Why'd you choose it?"
He didn't have to think long time. At all. The words flowed almost before I finished asking the question.
"Because its beautiful...yet simple. Different...but not...too different. Basically...its just like you."
And THAT, my friends, is the story of the day that John fully, truly, utterly, completely surprised me.
John can't surprise me. It has become a running joke of ours, this inability of his to pull off a surprise. And coming from a girl who loves surprises, this is a rather big deal. Classic example happened on Skype: "Oh Jennifer! I have the perfect idea for a surprise!!" "Oh really? Whats that?" "I can't tell you THAT...it'd ruin the surprise!" [long pause] "Okay, you'll find out tomorrow what the surprise is!"
Well, John, the good news is I'm a smart girl. The bad news is, I'm a smart girl. You either just ordered me pizza or flowers. I bet on flowers. And I'm usually right.
With that in mind, you - o reader - must proceed cautiously and carefully through the story that has become ours. Realizing that I love surprises, but am generally itching to figure out the surprise; oh, and John wants to surprise, but becomes so enthusiastic about the surprise, he just can't follow through with the element of...surprise.
It started Thursday evening, We were chatting on video as we normally do, catching up on the day and especially reflecting on my coming trip to Vietnam and all those preparations (I leave in less than 12 hours, as of this writing). As he prepared to sign off, John informed me that he wouldn't be able to chat the next evening because he'd be working on elements of my Christmas gift. Fair enough. Done deal.
Oddly, though, John got off early on Friday and after doing some errands, decided to call me. While I was at the gym. Huffing and puffing. And in a grumpy mood.
"Why can't you work on my Christmas present later? This is my last quiet evening at home! I want to be able to talk to you before I leave!" (I am fully aware I wasn't exactly...um...patient. But, in my defense, I did apologize almost immediately for my cattiness.
"Jennifer, I need to do this for you. I want you to get your present in time for Christmas and this is my only chance to prepare it!"
Lightbulb moment. SOMETHING was happening.
I got off the treadmill, went home, and announced to Kelly (my roommate): "John is acting weird. I can't figure out what he's up to! He's off working on my Christmas present so I can get it...BEFORE CHRISTMAS! Does he not realize I leave in 48 hours? All of them weekend hours? Its impossible!"
Calmly, distractedly, Kelly replied: "Maybe he's coordinating with Hien to mail you a gift in Vietnam?"
And then she went back to her researching.
All brain cells were now alerted. Truly. There's NO WAY Kelly wasn't going to jump ALL OVER the opportunity to, oh, I don't know... FIGURE IT OUT WITH ME! But she wasn't! What was up with that!
A hunch was growing, and I decided to test it.
After watching a movie with Mom and Kelly, I popped John a quick text and waited...and waited...
No response.
I checked the travelocity.com time table for flights from Seattle. Yes, I did. It matched up: the time he left his house, the time he stopped responding to texts, it was all coming together.
I slept a fitfull night Friday night, praying for him...thinking of his misery on a red eye flight...hoping all was going smoothly.
By the time I got up, I was trying to convince myself that nothing was up. That I was making it all up in my head. That there was nothing to be so paranoid about. But then Kelly was up at 7am baking for our party...which was going to start at 7pm...there was NO REASON for her to be up THAT early! But then...oh then..she told me she'd be going to her mom's to pick up some dishes and return some supplies. I - trying ot be a nice friend - gave her her Christmas present early: a set of dishes that meant she didn't have to go to her Mom's house. But she still said it: "I need to go to Mom's to return the supplies."
"AH HA! She's going to pick up John from the airport! I KNOW it!"
John sent an email at 730am..."Good morning! How are you?"
First, why was he emailing at 430am PST? Second, why was he so chipper? And third, what was he planning on doing today? And fourth, how did he sleep?
He didn't sleep well. A little bit, but not a lot. He plead the fifth (as only a Canadian can do) on his day's plans. And oh yes. He said a rushed "bye! talk to you later! gtg" at exactly 825am.
Ohhh. I was convinced. A night on the plane would mean not a lot of sleep.
Pleading the fifth is his way of not answering a question. (And of admitting American superiority, but thats another conversation altogether.)
A rushed and forced goodbye could only mean one thing: another plane to catch.
I went about my day carefully. I did my hair nicely. I chose an extra cute outfit. I worked a little extra hard to try to get ahead on the afternoon's todo list. John was coming and I needed to be ready!
After my photoshoot, I drove home...cautiously excited. I called Chrissy, knowing she wasn't part of the scheme and wanting to have SOMEONE listen to my story of woe and paranoia. She listened patiently. Asked a couple questions. And agreed: SOMETHING was happening. Her advice? If Kelly calls asking where you are, you KNOW something is up.
Ten minutes later, my Mom and Kelly called me...simultaneously...wondering where I was. I texted Chrissy the news. "All I know," she said, "Is you'd better be practicing your surprised face."
I got home to an empty house. Oh well. That must not be part of the plan. I worked on photos, ate some lunch, tidied the house, stood in front of the mirror practicing my surprised expression. And waited.
Kelly arrived. No John.
Kelly worked on cooking and decorating. No John.
John started emailing about his work day. How crazy it was. How he might be able to talk to me a little later on, after the party. But maybe not.
I got depressed.
Oh well. I guess I was wrong.
What a MAJOR letdown. I couldn't handle it. Kinda just didn't really feel like being happy anymore. No John today. I had known it was a far fetched idea. Truly, I had. But oh. It had been such a blissful thought.
I IM'd with Marian, telling her of my disappointment.
I told Kelly the story of how I had been convinced all day that she was scheming with John. I watched her face halfheartedly hoping for a response. But got nothing. So I was even more convinced. No John.
It was 330 and time for my hair cut.
I sat in the stylist's chair and told HER of my disappointment (you know it was true sadness when I was willing to tell my woes to the world at the salon. Seriously.)
I got home at 5:00 and just wanted to go to sleep. Too much emotional turmoil for one day. O so sad. John wasn't coming.
Oh well. At least we'd get to chat after he finished work.
Kelly and I were running behind. We needed more chairs for our party. The small-and-unattended party was suddenly turning into a big-and-possibly-crowded affair. Good thing Kelly had done all that cooking. Chairs would come in handy.
Now, as a caveat, as we were driving to Winston, I was gloomily looking out the window at the world rushing by while Kelly held a very meaningless conversation with Andy about outfits...and Christmas attire...and what he should wear...and...well...a lot of very trivial things. But the conversation lasted the whole way to Winston and Kelly and I hadn't talked at all.
We got lost near Salem Baptist. She called her Aunt Karen. "Oh, I turned down the wrong street. And now its blocked off. It'll take me a minute to get there. [pause] Oh! You're running late? Perfect. I don't feel so bad."
Our detour led us into Old Salem. A very crowded Old Salem. Lots and lots and lots of people were waiting for their Candle Tea. She turned toward the bakery.
I think I was the one who actually pointed to the bakery. Or maybe she did? All I remember saying is: "Wow, that's a long line for cookies!"
"You know...I REALLY need cookies for the party. Moravian cookies would be perfect! Why don't you stand in line and I'll go find a parking spot?"
I hopped out of the car. Muttering about bah-humbug. Scrooge was alive and kicking. Especially regarding anything and everything about this party.
Now, mind you, I hadn't exactly planned to be out in the cold. My jacket was barely warm. And - oh yes - I wasn't really thinking clearly since I was still so depressed that John hadn't showed up. I call it numbness.
So I stood in line. In the cold. Muttering complaints. I watched a BMW do a u-turn in the middle of the road and take Kelly's parking spot. "Why didn't SHE think of that? Sheesh."
We inched our way inside. At least it was warm now. Sheltered from the cold. But man. These cookies better be extra good. Cuz sheesh. This is ridiculous.
I kept turning around, looking out the door waiting for Kelly to come. I wanted her to be there before I needed to actually decide what to buy. I had no idea what she wanted. More grumbling. More complaining.
I turned around once more, sad, frustrated, complaining, cold, discouraged, numb.
I think I might've squealed. Or shrieked. Or jumped up and down. I vaguely remember everyone looking at me. I definitely remember saying over and over and over again: You're here! ohmyword. You're actually here!
My John was walking toward me. A huge grin on his face.
There was no practicing my surprised face.
That was gen-u-ine emotion right there, folks. Serious surprise.
The rest is a little fuzzy.
John said something about "lets go take a ride" and then we were out the door. In the cold. And up the steps before I realized what was happening...he had a horse drawn carriage waiting for us ....Oh THAT kind of ride!... and off we went.
I'm pretty sure I was still mumbling in shock. Yup, definitely was. "Ohmyword you're here! You're here! What are you doing here? You're actually here!" Over and over again. Yup. And over again.
At this point, I should've realized what was happening. But I was too busy being angry at Kelly for lying to me, angry at John for actually surprising me, angry at Chrissy for being part of plan A (before he realized I'd be in NC this weekend instead of DC), angry at my Mom for knowing all this was going on...and so so so glad they had all coordinated to make me feel so special.
I'm not sure I've ever felt so loved. Truly.
And then there it was. Laying in his hand. The most beautiful piece of sparkle I've ever seen in my entire life. And it fit. Perfectly. That takes talent, folks.
After I'd said yes (oh, of course I said yes)...I had to ask one more question:
"Why this one? Why'd you choose it?"
He didn't have to think long time. At all. The words flowed almost before I finished asking the question.
"Because its beautiful...yet simple. Different...but not...too different. Basically...its just like you."
And THAT, my friends, is the story of the day that John fully, truly, utterly, completely surprised me.
_