During the last few weeks, Jon had mentioned a few times returning to Asatequae Island to watch the sun rise, and we had considered going that Friday night, the 29th. As we were spending the evening together, the forecast for the the next day was snow, so we decided it was unwise to head out at night and returning early int he morning. Jon mentioned that Annapolis would be very pretty in the snow, which was a nice idea.
We played nertz with my family (a card game) and then watched "Return to Me" - Jon was someone surprisingly in the mood for a romantic comedy. Generally we don't watch them, since our life is a romantic comedy, but non-a-the-less, I introduced him to this one, definitely one of my favorites. (the picture is after playing nertz, and aunt cindy was capturing the last time my finger would be ringless... she was in on it too.)
At the time we were working through a book entitled "10 Great Dates before you say "I Do"" which was a gift from his sister and brother-in-law. They had done it as well. We were on date 3, so had before hand decided to do an official "date" the next day. Jon suggested going out for brunch and was looking up places online to eat. He left at about 1am, planning to pick me up the next morning at 10 (or was it 9? I can't quite remember....)
This was all a bit out of the ordinary - planning things, and even early outings! We both enjoy sleeping in and getting a few things done on Saturday mornings... however if he was offering to take me out, I'm certainly not going to say no!
However, I was indeed a little suspicious.
I woke up the next morning and my parents were asleep, so I went about the business of getting ready, writing in my journal, etc. I went downstairs to get a few things together, and my mom's cell phone was ringing from a text message. As the constant dinging was beginning to get a bit annoying and running the battery out, i went to check it. There was a text message from my aunt stating 'Is she up yet?"
Hm... suspicious indeed. I decided to play dumb.
My mom came down, and was incredibly non-chalanet. She stated that she would have dinner the next night, Sunday, for his dad who would be in town, however she wasn't sure she would be able to have dinner for us that night. Would Jon and I be able to provide for ourselves? Oh sure, I said. Interiority within myself however, I realized that if Jon were to propose tonight, then certainly mom wouldn't be making us make our own dinner (mom does enjoy celebrating).
Suspicions were allayed. Now I was just a bit confused!
Jon picked me up around ten, exchanged normal pleasantries with my parents, and then walked me out to the car, opened the door as he usually does, hopped in himself, then drove us to down town Annapolis. We parked at Franklin Street, where we had parked on our first date, and we began walking towards Main Street. I had no idea where we were going, but trusted that he knew the way.
At the top of Main Street, he led the way into Treaty of Paris, a very nice old restaurant where our countries founders did a little bit of eating themselves! As we walked into the half-basement where the restaurant is, a gentlemanly elderly waiter stood at the end of the hall.
As we stomped the snow off our shoes, he stated most earnestly "Oh - I hope you are here for brunch, that would make my day." We agreed that this great wish had indeed come true! He took our coats, and then led us into the restaraunt, where only one other couple sat. He set up our table near the live fire which he had made, and made the most comfortable and pleasant chit-chat one could make at such a "snazzy joint" as one could make. We felt very much at home, fancy silverware and all!
We began looking at the menu, which looked very very scrumptious, and I delighted in the wonderful feeling one gets when your boyfriend take you out to eat, as he often does, and always at the end covers the bill, and when you thank him with the most earnest thanks you can muster, he always smiles and says "my honor." I think that may be why going out to eat anywhere is just the most peaceful thing in the world.
He selected French Toast, i selected the eggs chesapeake, which were SCRUMPTIOUS!
Yes, I took a picture of my food, which is a strange habit I have - I think I hope to capture the taste through the picture, however that is rarely helpful.
I did think that if he were to propose, this wouldn't be a bad place, with the fire and all.
We relished our food and began the conversation on communication. This chapter talked about communication, in how to explain your emotions and thoughts in a way that does not insult the other person, but does communicate how they may be influencing your feelings. I indicated that I have hard time with this - being a heavy introvert, it can be hard for me to talk about feelings, as I often don't realize that I have them until a day or two later! However Jon has always been receptive to my emotional needs/moods (depending on your perspective) and I'm grateful for this.
He however, has never indicated that I was influencing his emotions negatively, not once in the least. Out of sheer curiosity and slight bewilderment, I inquired:
"Jon, surely there MUST be sometime in the past 11 months when I've annoyed you, even just slightly...."
He thought a moment, cocking his head to the side as he often does when a formed thought is about to be articulated, and then stated:
"Well, I know you didn't mean to, but you have often mentioned engagement and marriage in the past few weeks, and I know you don't mean to pressure me, but sometimes I do feel pressured." (aside: I have to commend him for his excellent communication skills! Well articulated love)
At this point, any suspicious I had that today would be the day we would talk about the rest of our lives were gone - completely - and replaced by a deep desire to communicate to him what had been going on. Indeed, I did trust him in this regard, however I had been feeling pressure from different areas of my life and I think had let them affect me. I also was scared we would get in a dating rut, and neglect to move the relationship forward when it was time to move it forward. He certainly understood, mentioned that marriage was an act of faith and he wanted to be sure he/we were reading to make that step. We got it all cleared up.
Once the meal was over, and the waiter, who we would now call a friend, showed us his library books on how to be a high-class waiter (which he certainly excelled at), we decided to venture outside before the warm fire lulled us in forever. We put the books away, put on our coats, and headed outside.
We walked up Main Street and towards Franklin Street, staring into each other's eyes and saying those sweet little nothings to each other that may sound sappy to another's ears or on paper, however mean the world to you in that moment.
Now on our first date we had gone to the Duck Park, which is on Acton's Cove, and had a nice chat, and we had had a few nice times since then. Acton's Cove is somewhat on the way to our car, so we naturally decided to slip by the Duck Park on our way to the car. (Note - we call it duck park because it has these huge statues of geese. however "goose park" is less fun to say)
As we were approaching the park, the serenity floating down around us, we concurred we had a lot of nice memories here, and decided to make another one.
Walking up to the park, with his arm around my shoulders I thought "my, this would be a nice place to propose!" which was quickly followed by "of course there is zero chance in the world this will happen, he hasn't quite made up his mind yet" quickly followed by "I'm so enjoying being with him right now, I certainly don't mind." And we meandered toward the water, relishing the silentness and privacy of the place - no one else was out.
We walked to the water, noticed how parts of it were slushing around a boat, and then stood in each other's arms. He then said something to the extent of:
"Well, I know our 11th monthiversary isn't for a few days, however I think we are going to make it, so here..."
Now here is what I thought he said:
"I think we are going to make it...." And then he reached into his coat.
quickly my brain flashed "He thinks we are going to make it life-wise?! Is he reaching for a ring box?! is this it?!"
He pulled out a box about twice the size of your fist, and probably weight a good pound. Oh! I thought. "This has all been because he wants to do something special for the monthiversary! how sweet!" (He has regularly celebrated the monthiversaries, since our first one, when he showed up on my door step with a french beret and a peach rose - so lovely.)
I felt a bit giddy, because getting unexpected presents is always tremendously special, and I kept asking him "So what is it?!" to which he would reply "Open it!" This repeated itself a few times. I think I was enjoying the anticipation of the moment a bit before it ended with the unwrapping.
(I'm smiling just writing this story. it was so cool)
Now to understand what happens next, dear readers, I need to tell you about what had happened Christmas 2008, when he spent Christmas with my family. At that time my aunt had given me a book embosser, that would emboss my books with "The Sara Smith Library" on each page. It is a very meaningful gift, since i love libraries and books. However at the time I had mentioned to Jon that although it was cool, I would have to re-emboss the books with my new last name. We weren't dating at the time, although he did like me, as I did him, and he replied "with a name like Smith, you have a good chance you won't have to change it." Which is funny in retrospect.
Back to the duck park. So I began to open the present, which revealed and cardboard box. I gently lifted the box cover and quickly saw the gift from my love: a book embosser! I quickly got that thrill that starts somewhere in your heart and emanates throughly throughout your entire being. Woah! Wait! the ONLY reason he'd be giving me a book embosser would be if it had "Sara Jerdan" on it - and the ONLY reason he'd be giving me an embosser would be is if he is proposing...."
I looked down and saw my love on his kneed, with a small red ring box in his left hand and the most gorgeous ring sparking from within. He then said, in German, "Sara, I love you. Will you marry me?" (for the record... "Sara, ich liebe dich. Willst du mich heiraten?")
I think responded. Jah! Oui! (I had always planned on saying "yes" in french, however he asked in German!) And gave him a huge hug. He slipped the ring on my finger, and much merriment ensued. This picture is part of that merriment.
Afterwards we stopped by the ring shop to have it sized up a bit, called a few family members, and were greeted at home by my local paparazzi (mom, dad, auntie, and uncle) where this video was filmed.
We have been happy and in love ever since, and intend to remain so for quite some time.
Jon and I playing in the snow at aunties!
The view from my front door after Wednesday:
That is it! It is all beginning to melt, and we are definitely impressed with all the snow removal going on!
We played nertz with my family (a card game) and then watched "Return to Me" - Jon was someone surprisingly in the mood for a romantic comedy. Generally we don't watch them, since our life is a romantic comedy, but non-a-the-less, I introduced him to this one, definitely one of my favorites. (the picture is after playing nertz, and aunt cindy was capturing the last time my finger would be ringless... she was in on it too.)
He selected French Toast, i selected the eggs chesapeake, which were SCRUMPTIOUS! 
