We were only dating a few months when I knew he was the One. We met in Panama City, FL…a city neither of us were native to. (I’ll leave how we met for a different post) Fast forward 15 months since the day we met, we were living in New Hampshire and it was his 24th birthday. I was teaching at the time and after work we were going to go out to eat for his birthday dinner. I remember it being a perfect day—bright blue skies, 75 degrees, and a gentle breeze. Once I left the school he told me he wanted to go for a little hike. Uh??? Why? I asked. He said something along the lines of “it’s my birthday and I want to”. Can’t argue with that!
When we got in the car we held hands and I remember his hands being SUPER sweaty and cold. “You doing ok?” I asked. He ignored the question. So we drove out to the water to a place called “Odiorne Point State Park” which is a beautiful stretch of land right on the ocean. He took me to this trail that walks along the water. I was curious to what he had planned, I mean, it was HIS birthday and all I had planned for him was a dinner at TGI Fridays. We walked to this little clearing where there was a perfect view of the ocean and at the edge of the land was this old tree, it looked as if it were fossilizing. He knows I love weird looking trees. “Oh boy look at that! What a cool looking tree!” I said pointing at the tree. When I turned around to see if he was actually looking, he handed me this big card he pulled out of his cargo shorts pocket. Weird…it is YOUR birthday. I opened up the envelope and the front of the card read:
“C.S. Lewis once wrote, ‘Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives’. When I read this quote, I can’t help to think about all the happiness you have brought into my life, and the person you have caused me to become. My love and affection for you is unbearable, so Jay and I were wandering…”
Oh. my. gosh. is this happening?! (Jay is our dog and he definitely did write “wandering”. Still makes me laugh.)
I opened the card.
When I was done reading I lifted my head and he was down on one knee. My heart was POUNDING.
BUT IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY!
Is this actually happening? I’ve been dreaming of this moment my whole life and certainly been dreaming about him asking me for the last year.
He grabs the hand that isn’t holding onto this handmade card.
“Amanda Rai Hamilton, will you marry me?”
Uhhhh. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t think.
I just hugged him. As he’s hugging me I say “are you sure?!”(seriously? why would I say that?!)
Hello! Earth to Amanda… you haven’t even answered his question yet.
“Of course I will marry you, yes, yes YES!”
9/14/2011
