Saturday, September 25-Lunch cont’d

As soon as he said that I  knew it couldn’t be the ring. I was sure he wouldn’t hold onto the ring for a long time once it was ready before proposing. Besides, the box was too big for a ring. Unless he’s being silly with some sort of series of boxes that ends with the ring…I thought to myself.

“Open it,” he urged as I held the bag, perplexed.

I pulled the bag away from the box inside and saw the picture of a Macbook Pro on the side of the box. As soon as my eyes took in the image, they shot to Daniel.

“You got me a Macbook?!”

“Pro.”

“You got me a Macbook?!”

“Pro.”

And that was all he would say. He just sat there looking smug, but also as though he were waiting. He wasn’t, as I would expect him to do, telling me all the specs and features and reasons why he chose this model over another. He just sat back, watching me.

I tried briefly to fill the silence with my excitement over the laptop I’d desperately wanted for so long. After a moment, though, I got quiet and waited for him. A few beats later, Daniel began to talk and move at the same time.

“I’m glad you have the Macbook…” as he slid over out from behind the table.

“You’re going to need it…” as he stood up and reached into his suit jacket.

“…to plan your wedding.” as he went down on one knee.

Despite 99% tunnel vision focused on Daniel kneeling in front of my chair, it was hard not to notice, at least subconsciously, that every person in the restaurant–customers at other tables, servers, and hostesses–was now watching us, pointing and whispering. My brain even managed to register the camera flashes going off. My entire conscious brain, though, was focused on Daniel.

“I love you so much and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you marry me?”

On the last word (which apparently was the ultimate debate of Daniel’s sleepless night before the proposal), the ring box appeared and Daniel opened it in one motion, revealing the ring I’d been waiting to see for what had seemed like an eternity.

Somehow, I still had the presence of mind to answer, “Of course!” and kiss my future husband.

Now that I had answered The Question, I felt free to just stare at the gorgeous ring. I gushed over how much it sparkled, how beautiful the carving was, and how it exceeded all my imaginings.

Daniel interrupted, leaned close and whispered, “Sweetie, you can put it on.”

Trust me, it would have ten me a long time to realize this if left to my own devices. I laughed at myself for this as I carefully pulled the ring from its box. I honestly can’t remember if I put it on or if he put it on my finger. It was probably a joint effort. In any case, it was finally on my finger–which was all that mattered.

With this accomplished, Daniel introduced me to his coworker, Andy, who had so graciously agreed to secretly meet him there to deliver the Macbook Pro and to take pictures of the proposal (thus the camera flashes I had subconsciously noticed). I tried to hold my hand still for a picture of the ring on my hand, but only achieved a few very shaky, blurry pictures. We thanked him profusely and accepted our first congratulations.

Our server was next to congratulate us as he brought us our to-go boxes. A few other curious servers came by. They each inspected and approved the ring. I think I remember one telling Daniel he could marry her if things didn’t work out.

In the car, while I continued to stare at the ring on my hand, Daniel remembered one part of the speech he’d forgotten during the proposal:

“The 100th reason is that I know you’ll be a great wife and mother.”