She said, “Yes!”
It was the most perfectly flawed moment. In a lot of ways the engagement mirrored our relationship—lots of planning, lots of good intentions, but in the end a good amount of improvisation.
Like all good math word problems, part of the story can be found in the numbers. 2,008 days from my first glance of her beauty until that fateful night. At least 36,256 miles traveled between NC and GA—both of us just trying to see each other as much as possible. A couple hundred long goodbyes—the kind where you wish you had just a little more time with her, just one more kiss, a never-ending hug. Finally, a countless number of events—football games, concerts, band concerts, marching band events, baseball games, basketball games, races, fairs, festivals, pro wrestling, road trips, plane trips—and a good many more excursions I can’t recall at the moment. This all serves to show that love can be found in the numbers.
Love is also found in the spaces between the numbers. It’s found in the stolen kisses, the pats on the butt, the holding of hands, and falling asleep on each other while watching TV. It’s found in words of support, in a shoulder to cry on, and in a listening ear. It’s making that special meal, picking up a favorite sweet, or just something as small as unloading the dishwasher. It’s calling just to say, “I love you,” because you know they need to hear it at that moment. It’s a good-morning kiss and a good-night cuddle.
All of the numbers and spaces led up to 1/1/2021 (because there was no way I was doing anything in 2020!). I had asked her parents for their permission, discussed it with the kids, and was granted permission from them as well. I picked out what I hoped was the perfect ring. I knew when the moment came I would be too nervous to say how I felt, so I drafted a text to send her when the time was right. I booked us a hotel in Atlanta (one with a rooftop bar!), and we had a nice dinner with her sister and brother-in-law beforehand. Around 10:30 p.m., we meandered to the rooftop bar and were greeted with a beautiful nighttime view of the city. We each ordered a drink and killed a little time people-watching. The stars were aligning.
It began to cool and started to sprinkle, so we decided to head back to our room for a few minutes before returning to the rooftop to celebrate the coming of the new year. At this point, the day caught up with her—and she accidentally fell asleep. Not wanting to wake her, I just let her sleep. With about a minute to go until 2021 was to begin—and no hope of making it back to the rooftop in time—I woke her to celebrate. Just after the clock struck midnight, she received a text. I insisted she read it.
When she finished, I asked her the most important question of my life: “Will you marry me?”
