Chapter Thirteen: A proposal

"July 29th, 2007?!?"

“Yeah, I really think were supposed to get married in July.”

“Well, I guess I’m going to have to start shopping for a ring for you then.”

Omar went home that night and told his mom that he needed to buy a ring. She was ecstatic. We decided that he should pick out my ring on his own, and surprise me (Omar has amazing taste in just about everything, so I wasn’t concerned). The coming months were filled with anticipation and joy:

(Mario saved the Princess, October 2006)

(Totally thought he was going to propose here, sharing ham at Thanksgiving, November 2006)

(I'm pretty sure that the night this picture was taken, Omar and I said "I love you" for the first time. There were many, many, tears of joy, 2006)

(totally thought he was going to propose here, Sea World, 2006)

(Our prophetic beachfront wedding gingerbread house, December 2006)

On Christmas Day in 2006 we had dinner with both of our families at a restaurant called Terra Verde. It was nice to have so many people we loved in one place and we had great dinner conversation. (I didn't think he was going to propose this night, because the day before he had told my dad he wanted to talk to him later on in the week.)

So, were at dinner and Omar said that he needed to use the restroom. And asked my dad to join him. I clearly was completely oblivious to what was going on so I told them I needed to go too, and Olivia, trying to save the situation, said she needed to go. Apparently Omar and my dad had a man-to-man conversation over the urinals, and Omar asked my dad if he could marry me. He explained to him that he had planned to propose in a completely different way at a different time, but he brought the ring with him that night on a whim and it was burning a hole in his pocket. He could not wait any longer, and he had to know what my dad thought. Apparently my dad begrudgingly agreed and when Omar got back to the table he seemed a little anxious. We all opened presents and were about to eat dessert when Omar's heart started to beat like a drum in a heavy metal band. Then, he stood up in front of the hundred or so people in the restaurant and tapped his glass with a fork so hard that I was more concerned with the almost shattered glass than what was about to happen.

"Everyone, Can I have your attention please?!? I am going to ask the most beautiful woman I have ever met to be my bride!"

Neither one of us have any idea what was said while he was on his knee. Its possible that the world will never know. But whatever it was, it was damn good, because I immediately put the BEAUTIFUL ring on my finger and passionately kissed him in front of everybody.

I forgot to say "Yes." Apparently actions speak louder than words.


There were many hugs and happy tears. Everyone was ecstatic!

Well, almost everyone. My dad and sister were a little...overwhelmed. And Olivia started crying unhappy tears almost immediately. I've decided not to hold this against her for the rest of her life.

My sweet Fiance and I set our official wedding date for July 29th, 2007, exactly one year from the day we started dating. We knew we wanted to get married on that day, and we knew we wanted to get married on the beach. Now, all we had to do was plan The Wedding of the Century.

to be continued...