Well, technically, it all happened FOURTEEN years ago, and I'll tell ya why. Oh, and how...
It was March of 1998. No, admittedly I do not remember the actual day (and Amy is probably going to either roll her eyes or sock me for that one, both of which I'm sure I deserve) but I do remember the place. We -by we I mean my family and my then girlfriend, Amy- were going to Mountain Jack's for my step-dad's birthday. Previously in the evening (as I was living with my parents at the time for reasons I have no desire to discuss at this time) I told my mom that I wanted desperately to propose to Amy, but I didn't have a proper ring. Well, she did. She in fact had the wedding ring from when she was married to my dad, and really had no need to hold onto it any longer and informed me that I could use it as the Engagement ring. Well, I thought that was pretty cool. So we found a nice box and prepared for the evening to follow.
We got to Mountain Jack's (sadly, no longer there) and enjoyed our meal, all the while I sat fidgeting with the box just biding my time till dessert. Everyone knew what was coming except, obviously, Amy. Well, the time finally came. I got out of my chair, down on one knee -nervous like you read about- and opened the box in front of her as I proposed. She hid a look of puzzlement behind her look of bewilderment, said yes, and then looked at me with eyes of questioning concern. Why? Had I said it wrong? Did I fart? As it turns out neither. The box was empty!
Panic rippled across the table as everyone frantically looked around them. My sister ran to the car to make sure it hadn't fallen out there, and I fished through my pockets... all to no avail. Meanwhile, in the wings, the waiter stood poised with a bottle of Champagne like a nervous hamster. I have to hand it to him, he remained cool during the whole ordeal, unlike the rest of us. Finally, thank God, one of the two of us -Amy or I- located the ring directly under my chair. Apparently, as I was nervously opening and closing it, the ring had tumbled out. Crisis averted, we went on to dessert and the waiter swooped in with congratulatory alcohol.
And that, kids, was how it all went down.
Now I know I haven't been the best man in the world, Lord knows that's true, but I have been a better man because Amy said yes to me. My life took a huge U-Turn and headed back down the right path when I finally gave myself to her and hasn't strayed much since. Thirteen years ago I realized what it meant to love, be loved, and be in love, and I owe my life and soul to Amy. God allowed me to be with her, and because of that, I am happy.
Happy Anniversary, Amy.
It was March of 1998. No, admittedly I do not remember the actual day (and Amy is probably going to either roll her eyes or sock me for that one, both of which I'm sure I deserve) but I do remember the place. We -by we I mean my family and my then girlfriend, Amy- were going to Mountain Jack's for my step-dad's birthday. Previously in the evening (as I was living with my parents at the time for reasons I have no desire to discuss at this time) I told my mom that I wanted desperately to propose to Amy, but I didn't have a proper ring. Well, she did. She in fact had the wedding ring from when she was married to my dad, and really had no need to hold onto it any longer and informed me that I could use it as the Engagement ring. Well, I thought that was pretty cool. So we found a nice box and prepared for the evening to follow.
We got to Mountain Jack's (sadly, no longer there) and enjoyed our meal, all the while I sat fidgeting with the box just biding my time till dessert. Everyone knew what was coming except, obviously, Amy. Well, the time finally came. I got out of my chair, down on one knee -nervous like you read about- and opened the box in front of her as I proposed. She hid a look of puzzlement behind her look of bewilderment, said yes, and then looked at me with eyes of questioning concern. Why? Had I said it wrong? Did I fart? As it turns out neither. The box was empty!
Panic rippled across the table as everyone frantically looked around them. My sister ran to the car to make sure it hadn't fallen out there, and I fished through my pockets... all to no avail. Meanwhile, in the wings, the waiter stood poised with a bottle of Champagne like a nervous hamster. I have to hand it to him, he remained cool during the whole ordeal, unlike the rest of us. Finally, thank God, one of the two of us -Amy or I- located the ring directly under my chair. Apparently, as I was nervously opening and closing it, the ring had tumbled out. Crisis averted, we went on to dessert and the waiter swooped in with congratulatory alcohol.
And that, kids, was how it all went down.
Now I know I haven't been the best man in the world, Lord knows that's true, but I have been a better man because Amy said yes to me. My life took a huge U-Turn and headed back down the right path when I finally gave myself to her and hasn't strayed much since. Thirteen years ago I realized what it meant to love, be loved, and be in love, and I owe my life and soul to Amy. God allowed me to be with her, and because of that, I am happy.
Happy Anniversary, Amy.
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