night changes

Something special happened to me about a week ago:

It started with a grumpy, stressed, slightly-put-out face on a Monday.

I was tired and out of sorts. My person had asked me to come up to hang out with him and his sister. A special treat for her, he said. She really wanted to see me, he said.

I did not want to go. I wanted to see his sister, and him, of course, but I did not want to expend the effort to make it happen. But because he asked so sweetly, and because I love him, I went, even though I knew I would probably regret it later, as I had a big test for work I needed to study for, and the trip up there was eating into my precious study time -- the test was in three days.

I left work late, due to circumstances beyond my control. Then, traffic was terrible, of course. 

Upon my arrival, the house was in disarray. There were children running about and nerf wars happening and pizza left semi-unattended in the oven, but no sign of my man.

Grumpy cat-face came out. I was peeved: after taking the effort to drive in traffic almost fifty miles, he was not to be found in the house. Neither was his sister. Annoyed, I took over the pizza watch from the oldest nephew, who was doing homework, and stewed inwardly. "You could be studying for the test. Go out and get your study materials." I boiled a little. "Why are you even here? Why is he NOT here? He doesn't even have the decency to be here!" (I must have been really hungry about this point.)

And then he came home and said his sister had been called away to help a friend set up an event. I was practically eye-rolling at this point. Then, a few slices of soggy pizza later, he says that he wants to go check out what his sister has been working on. Suspicious. But I get in the car, even though it's almost bedtime for the kids and I am bemoaning the fact that I even came up at all, feeling it hadn't been worth the trip. 

We parked and I saw only one car: his sister's.  This was my first clue. Then he got a backpack out of the car. A second clue. Then we walked for forever with no sign of anyone. A third clue. The last clue I needed was when we got to a muddy patch and he said, "This is the only place where it's muddy." I thought, "Hmm, he has been across this path, and recently, too. I bet he doesn't realize he just gave himself away."

The stars were so bright.  We could see Orion hanging low.

Then I saw some lights flickering through the trees. He had set up a mini wonderland...candles in large mason jars and twinkle lights on ivy-covered trees, along with music piped through a portable speaker. I was walking along, trying not to expect anything, and honestly a little unsure how I felt, as just that morning I had been conflicted and although I knew I wanted to be with him, I was waiting for a final, settled feeling that to say 'yes' was the only course -- and that feeling had not yet come.

We continued to walk along and then he tugged my hand. I was freaking out inside, looking everywhere and nowhere at the same time, especially not at him -- and then as I turned he got down on one knee and murmured lovely things and asked if I would be his forever love, his wife, his always companion, as he slipped a ring on my finger.

I burst out crying. I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn't even say anything. I couldn't even breathe. Then I tugged him off the ground, thinking of his knees, buying me time so I could gather myself before I whispered "Yes! You silly man, yes!" And then of course I apologized for calling him a silly man, which made him laugh. Then we danced to the music and then I realized his poor sister was probably hiding in the bushes somewhere, waiting for the all-clear signal, and then I yelled for her to come out, which was good, because her phone had died. We gathered a lot of the things up, including a dozen roses which were lovely and I hadn't even noticed before. Then I looked at the ring.

Sometimes, one night can change everything. I knew he was going to ask me to marry him, but I didn't know when, and the talking about it and the saying yes are two very different things, let me tell you!! Not in a bad way, but it just surprised me.

Look at the look on his face! Aww. It melts me every time.

Also, a cheesy MV for your delectation and delight.