i only have eyes for you - the proposal

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five

In the course of dating, NG and I talked about many things, including high school proms. He had the opportunity to go to both proms (he had two dates his junior year), and I was unfortunate enough to go to neither of my high school proms. Actually, I did ask a friend our junior year, but he never answered me...how rude. But I'm over it.

So, due to the prom misfortune, NG and I decided we would hold our own prom, now that I had a more than suitable date to go with. We set our prom date. NG would take care of all the details, I just had to show up.

I had convinced myself that this was not to be the proposal night for several reasons:

1) It would be waaaaay too obvious and I had prayed that I wouldn't know when the proposal would happen

2) He had convinced me that he in fact did NOT have the ring yet.

3) I was just convinced this would not be the night - enough said.

I dressed in my best dress - a little black number, very hot. I had a handful of bridesmaid dresses (hot pink, periwinkle, seafoam, , etc.), none of which seemed appropriate, and my sister had loaned me a beautiful shawl she had purchased in Spain that went exceptionally well with my little black dress.

NG arrived at my door right on time. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand. I took them and he whisked me away...next door, where the prom was being held (in his apartment).

He opened the door for me and was blown away. Balloons and streamers hung from one corner of the room to the other, candles danced and flickered, white rope lights outlined a dance floor in the middle of the living room, and soft music played. I felt like I had just walked in to a Candace Olsen divinely designed room. It was breathtaking.

We put the flowers in water and then he ushered me out to the veranda (commonly known as a balcony on non-prom nights) where there was a little table with two chairs. It was a lovely October evening. The sun was just setting as he brought out dinner - Baked Parmesan Chicken, rolls, and something else I can't recall. I remember being amazed that he had taken time to make this just for me. We sat out on the veranda and ate our delicious meal while the stars appeared one by one. Eighties tunes - one after another played on the stereo - part of a collection of cd's that he had burned just for that night.

We finished dinner and enjoyed dessert (some type of pastry from the infamous Wal-Mart deli). Following our meal, he put away the dishes and suggested we do a little dancing. We danced for a good while and I was ever so content to rest my head on his chest (he's 6'4"). I was only halfway paying attention when I heard "I Only Have Eyes For You" by the Flamingoes playing softly in the background. It was then that NG said, "I have another surprise for you."

Honestly, the first thought that crossed my mind was, "Wow, more flowers?"

He asked me to go stand in front of the linen closet door, but not to open it. I obliged, even though I had no idea what was going on.

NG then said, "Okay, I'm going to turn the lights out. Put your hand on the doorknob, but don't open the door until I tell you to."

He walked back into the living room where he could still see every move I made.

I heard the "click" as the room went pitch black.

"Okay, open the door..."

My heart was pounding wildly. Who or what was he hiding in this closet? I had to ask him if anyone was going to jump out at me. He said there was no one hiding in the closet and told me to just open the door.

I turned the knob and opened the door.

I heard the "click" again as the light came back on.

In front of me was a completely empty linen closet with the exception of a barstool that stood on the floor under the lowest shelf. Clipped to the stool was a desk lamp, its light shining directly on the most beautiful engagement ring nestled snugly in its velvet box.

I gasped and put my hands over my mouth.

I felt NG's hand come around my waist. He reached for my hand as he dropped down to one knee.

"Caroline, will you marry me?"

Of course I said yes. Who wouldn't after all that?

He placed the ring on my finger and gently kissed me.

It was so much to take in and I didn't ever want to forget it. I was ENGAGED!!!!!!

At that point, we basically forgot about the prom and called every member of our families that we could think of. We celebrated the rest of the evening, doing a little more dancing, making a lot of phone calls, and staring at the ring on my finger. It was surreal.

That was October 10, 2003. Five months later, on March 13, 2004, we were married and Neighbor Guy (NG) became my husband, Mr. Baseball.

Our wedding ceremony was beautiful and I would not change a thing about it. God's presence was so abundant in the sanctuary as we sang worship songs and said our vows to one another. It was the perfect day.

As I look back over the four years of marriage, I can't help but see God's plan in all that stuff with Blonde Guy and the heartache I went through. I don't regret it because if it had not happened, I might not be where I am today, married to the love of my life and mother to a beautiful little redheaded boy.