Needless to say, I was completely shocked and taken by surprise. Michael had gone to work early and taken a half day yesterday and came home around noon. We went on a bike ride through Newport Coast and were supposed to go pick up lunch after, but he had other plans...
After climbing up the coast and aiding a fellow cyclist with a flat tire, we started the ascent to the top of Ridgecrest. I was really grumpy throughout the end of the ride because I had blown all my energy already and Michael was suggesting I swerve through both lanes of traffic to lessen grade of the climb. I was pretty agitated and nervous that he suggested I ride with traffic driving into my face (Gee, I wonder why...) Though he was doing it himself, because to be honest- there really weren't any cars on the road.
But he continued to motivate me and tell me to "keep it up." He nonchalantly mentioned that 3 years ago on that day we were lost in the woods together, and today we were riding up a hill together. "How things (our hobbies and interests) have changed," I thought.
At the end of the hill I saw a familiar white car but dismissed it as something that shouldn't have been there. When I came to a stop to take in the view of Orange County Michael asked, "Did you see the car? I brought us lunch!"
I replied, "What?"
"Well, I brought us lunch. Happy anniversary, sort of... anniversary of our first date, the hike. We don't ever celebrate, so, I thought this would be nice."
Then he busted out this HUGE picnic basket/cooler!
"I brought Darya's," he said.
"That's so sweet!" I replied, with tears in my eyes...
So he began setting up a blanket and some food, and I throughout the meal I thought the ordeal was a little extravagant and orchestrated. "Could it be?" I thought, "No, it's not the right time, I need to push that thought out of my mind before I get ahead of myself."
"This is sweet," I said, "I was ready to ride back and grab some Subway or something..."
"Make sure you save room for dessert," he said, and shortly after he went to the car to grab a white gift take out box.
He handed me the box and said, "It's tiramisu, from my favorite place," and went back to the car again!
I thought, "We're on a diet and you bought TWO cakes?!"
And then I saw a blue box, and I thought, "Okay, something's definitely up. That's Erin's trademark, for sure."
Then he opened the box, and got on one knee and said, "Teresa, we've been together for 3 years now, and I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and grow old together."
And I cried so hard I didn't hear anything he said.
"Will you marry me?" he asked with a shaky voice.
I couldn't reply as he cleaned the frosting off and put the ring on my finger.
"It's too big," I said as it was sliding off my finger. Candidly I asked, "Is it real?"
"Of course it's real!" he said and laughed. We continued to exchange hugs and kisses, and I had him repeat the proposal as I had already forgotten what he said. We drove home as he recounted the entire tale from the day he started saving the ring, to asking my parents for my hand, and finally through the events that lead him to the big day. We then went to size the ring at the jeweler, and already I missed the weight of the band on my finger as it was being altered at the store.
I can't stop looking at the ring, and despite it being much more than I expected, I love it to death, and am so proud and happy to wear it on my finger and call myself his for the rest of my life.
Michael, I love you with all my heart, and I will cherish this day forever. Thank you for everything. You mean the world to me.
Erin, the camera in the cooler was funny. Jimmy & Kristy, I would have laughed to death if you guys had jumped out of the bushes!
Thanks everyone for the congratulations, and I hope you enjoyed the story. Sorry we didn't take any pictures, however, Erin snapped a couple of the ring and the cake:
Thank you everyone!
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