So there I was one knee down on what had to be one of the smallest beaches in Puerto Rico trying my best to put four words together which I had never said out loud without stammering. This question would inevitably lead me to what has become one of the most incredible years of planning, heated arguments about cupcakes vs. tiered cakes, planning of which shades of blues is better (celeste, turquoise, sky and dozens of others which were formerly known to me as light blue) and other fired discussions of details which I have since learned to emphatically agree with an “I love it” because “uh-huh” and “I like it” has been determined to be equivalent to “I don’t care, you do it all yourself”. But it didn’t start there…so to make a short story long…
I had been planning to do this for a while; about a year in fact - guys will understand this, I have since learned that the ladies don’t and to be honest I don’t have a reason why it took me this long; it just did...but I did do it so let’s get on with it.
Perhaps the longest part of planning was trying to make sure it was special. Jamie’s a great girl and we’ve had some incredible adventures over the last three years but as she’s learned, I’m not big on planning and prefer to take things as they come. To make things worse, we hadn’t really ever talked about marriage or getting engaged so there wasn’t much for me to go on for what she was looking for and how I should propose but nonetheless I knew it had to be special. After about four months of seriously looking I finally found the ring that I wanted; about two months later I found a jeweler with the ring size that I needed (but wouldn’t ship internationally); and about a month later a plan emerged to get it shipped to Puerto Rico to a great friend of ours, Helen, who we’ve shared many a memory with.
The trip to Puerto Rico started out with a bumpy flight on a six seater Cessna that had Jamie decide she would take up residence in PR rather than fly back. We spent a couple days exploring old San Juan and soaking up the rays. On the third day of vacation Helen treated us to an unforgettable experience at the Ritz Carlton as her guests where we received a couples massages; mine from Helga, a rugged, strong-handed, masculine woman and Jamie’s from Fernando, with matching qualities as Helga…I believe Jamie enjoyed hers more than mine.
Following the Ritz, Helen gave us a great tour of the northern coast of Puero Rico up to her Aunt & Uncle’s house on a sleepy road past the hustle and bustle of the condos and high rises of San Juan. As Jamie practiced her Spanish with the family I wandered around the backyard trying to figure out how I was going to do this…as mentioned, I’m not too big on plans but I had decided that today was going to be the day and this was going to be the spot. A small beach on the empty lot next to the house proved to be a perfect setting and with a little sly help from Helen, Jamie and I waded to the beach just before sunset.
I spent about 10 minutes on my knee waiting for an answer; at first I figured I could outlast her but eventually I had to demand a reply and thankfully she eventually eked out a “Yes! Of course!”. The night was capped with good food with great friends and a memorable toast "to the ocean as an eternal witness to our love"…that and some fresh oysters from Tito’s van.
And in case you were really wondering; the answer is turquoise blue.
In Jamie's words:
I didn't even think Pete was paying attention when I mentioned that I found cheap flights to Puerto Rico. I have a tendency to ramble. Pete had begun to master the ever-helpful skill of tuning me out. So I was completely shocked when a few weeks later he declared we were going to take advantage of the cheap transportation & see the Puerto Rico.
I like to believe that all girls like to have something to plan. I think I like to believe that so I don't feel so bad about being a complete planning freak. But, hey sue me, I like to have something to get excited about, to anticipate, and yes, to plan. So, as soon as the declaration of our trip left Pete's mouth, I was internet-ing away. Finding out all the adventures Puerto Rico had to offer. Pete does not plan. Notice the factual tone that last sentence was written. That's because it happens to be emphatically true. I like to plan. When it comes to most things not involving work, Pete likes to take things as they come.
This little fact about Pete doesn't really matter or add much to this part of the story, but to comprehend my extreme shock as to what comes, it is necessary to understand.
Well the day before we flew out arrived. I had just finished packing my suitcase. Pete had just finished asking the question, which has now become somewhat of pre-flight tradition, "Why in the world do you need to bring so much stuff?". This was the night he decided to inform me the size of the plane we were flying on. Small. Like, I could touch both sides of the inside without fully stretching out my arms, small. Like, I can reach up & tap the pilot's shoulder small. Like, I literally thought I was going to crash to my death in this tiny, tiny, tiny little plane, small. Short story, the flight was terrifying....I prayed & cried....Pete laughed & videotaped me. One day I will look back & laugh. One day.
Once we got to Puerto Rico, I became completely enamored with the island. It had the conveniences, restaurants, and general "hustle & bustle" that we had not experienced in so long...but still the beauty & tranquility of a tropical island. We stayed busy eating, drinking, shopping, & sightseeing. Just liked I had planned.
On our last full day, our good friend Helen, treated us to a day at the Ritz Carlton. Now, I did not grow up going to places like the Ritz. So it's a very glamorous idea for me. I wanted to create a fake identity so I could seem mysterious/fit in with the people who stay in the Ritz all the time. Now that I'm typing it, I realize how sad that last statement really is. Nevertheless, I didn't create an alias, but did feel fabulously important & pampered. Helen even arranged for us to get a couples massage. I was a little nervous about some lady rubbing all up on my man right in front of me. Helen assured me, I had no need to worry. He had a very robust looking woman. I had a very young Puerto Rican man. It was very nice. After the massage they presented us with champagne & I proceeded to show the Ritz what a classy lady I was by walking around the whole resort with the open bottle & nothing else. Hey, alias or no, I am from Alabama at heart.
Helen then decided to take us on a drive around the island. We drove out of San Juan, into this amazing countryside. The view was absolutely breathtaking. When we stopped to visit her Aunt & Uncle, I assumed it was to see their amazing house & to meet the sweet couple. I got to practice my espanol with the pair, they were nice enough to pretend they knew what I was talking about. While admiring the incredible scenery from the deck, Pete ran off to the bathroom. While he was gone Helen told me to get him to take my onto the little beach adjacent to the house. So that's what we did. Once on the beach I was overtaken by the beauty of the place. And I turned my back on him to take in the sunset, I told him how wonderful I thought that day had been. Pete said something really sweet. I turned around to kiss him. He was on one knee.
And that was the moment my entire world stopped. I would love it if I could tell you word-for-word the complete proposal. But at the very moment, I heard no words & saw no ring. I just saw him on one knee. I thought I was going to pass out. I started screaming/crying/jumping up & down all at once. I was a hot-mess. Finally, the man who I now call my fiance, had to tell me to look at the ring & give him an answer. Of course, it was breathtaking. And, of course, I said yes. I was the most shocked I have ever been. Ever. In my entire life. That was the part that was most thrilling to me. Other than having the man of my dreams ask me to marry him. I'm hardly ever, that truly, surprised. And to know that amount of planning & preparing that Pete put into making this proposal happen, that is what utterly impressed, shocked, and made me feel absolutely glorious.
After I finished screaming/crying/jumping up & down. And after the ring was on my finger & huge, silly grin was seemingly plastered on my face. We were toasted in spanish, shared hugs & wine with strangers that had now become friends, & found Tito who sold raw oysters out of his van. It was the perfect day. Absolutely & completely a dream come true. And I didn't have to plan a thing.
In Jamie's words:
I didn't even think Pete was paying attention when I mentioned that I found cheap flights to Puerto Rico. I have a tendency to ramble. Pete had begun to master the ever-helpful skill of tuning me out. So I was completely shocked when a few weeks later he declared we were going to take advantage of the cheap transportation & see the Puerto Rico.
I like to believe that all girls like to have something to plan. I think I like to believe that so I don't feel so bad about being a complete planning freak. But, hey sue me, I like to have something to get excited about, to anticipate, and yes, to plan. So, as soon as the declaration of our trip left Pete's mouth, I was internet-ing away. Finding out all the adventures Puerto Rico had to offer. Pete does not plan. Notice the factual tone that last sentence was written. That's because it happens to be emphatically true. I like to plan. When it comes to most things not involving work, Pete likes to take things as they come.
This little fact about Pete doesn't really matter or add much to this part of the story, but to comprehend my extreme shock as to what comes, it is necessary to understand.
Well the day before we flew out arrived. I had just finished packing my suitcase. Pete had just finished asking the question, which has now become somewhat of pre-flight tradition, "Why in the world do you need to bring so much stuff?". This was the night he decided to inform me the size of the plane we were flying on. Small. Like, I could touch both sides of the inside without fully stretching out my arms, small. Like, I can reach up & tap the pilot's shoulder small. Like, I literally thought I was going to crash to my death in this tiny, tiny, tiny little plane, small. Short story, the flight was terrifying....I prayed & cried....Pete laughed & videotaped me. One day I will look back & laugh. One day.
Once we got to Puerto Rico, I became completely enamored with the island. It had the conveniences, restaurants, and general "hustle & bustle" that we had not experienced in so long...but still the beauty & tranquility of a tropical island. We stayed busy eating, drinking, shopping, & sightseeing. Just liked I had planned.
On our last full day, our good friend Helen, treated us to a day at the Ritz Carlton. Now, I did not grow up going to places like the Ritz. So it's a very glamorous idea for me. I wanted to create a fake identity so I could seem mysterious/fit in with the people who stay in the Ritz all the time. Now that I'm typing it, I realize how sad that last statement really is. Nevertheless, I didn't create an alias, but did feel fabulously important & pampered. Helen even arranged for us to get a couples massage. I was a little nervous about some lady rubbing all up on my man right in front of me. Helen assured me, I had no need to worry. He had a very robust looking woman. I had a very young Puerto Rican man. It was very nice. After the massage they presented us with champagne & I proceeded to show the Ritz what a classy lady I was by walking around the whole resort with the open bottle & nothing else. Hey, alias or no, I am from Alabama at heart.
Helen then decided to take us on a drive around the island. We drove out of San Juan, into this amazing countryside. The view was absolutely breathtaking. When we stopped to visit her Aunt & Uncle, I assumed it was to see their amazing house & to meet the sweet couple. I got to practice my espanol with the pair, they were nice enough to pretend they knew what I was talking about. While admiring the incredible scenery from the deck, Pete ran off to the bathroom. While he was gone Helen told me to get him to take my onto the little beach adjacent to the house. So that's what we did. Once on the beach I was overtaken by the beauty of the place. And I turned my back on him to take in the sunset, I told him how wonderful I thought that day had been. Pete said something really sweet. I turned around to kiss him. He was on one knee.
And that was the moment my entire world stopped. I would love it if I could tell you word-for-word the complete proposal. But at the very moment, I heard no words & saw no ring. I just saw him on one knee. I thought I was going to pass out. I started screaming/crying/jumping up & down all at once. I was a hot-mess. Finally, the man who I now call my fiance, had to tell me to look at the ring & give him an answer. Of course, it was breathtaking. And, of course, I said yes. I was the most shocked I have ever been. Ever. In my entire life. That was the part that was most thrilling to me. Other than having the man of my dreams ask me to marry him. I'm hardly ever, that truly, surprised. And to know that amount of planning & preparing that Pete put into making this proposal happen, that is what utterly impressed, shocked, and made me feel absolutely glorious.
After I finished screaming/crying/jumping up & down. And after the ring was on my finger & huge, silly grin was seemingly plastered on my face. We were toasted in spanish, shared hugs & wine with strangers that had now become friends, & found Tito who sold raw oysters out of his van. It was the perfect day. Absolutely & completely a dream come true. And I didn't have to plan a thing.
