It was a beautiful spring day, not unlike today, 5 years ago. It was the end of March, and April Fool's Day was just around the corner, as it is now. And we made a decision that would set the course for our future.
I was ready for some exercise that morning -- a power walk.
"What's that?" he said. You know, the kind of walk where you work up a sweat.
I suggested a local park, with an awesome conservatory/greenhouse, figuring they'd have spring flowers on display. He was game. I was ready to go, but he took some time to get ready and handed me a jar of catnip to give to his cat.
The cat and I never really bonded. She wasn't a very nice cat, and I'm really not an animal person anyway. I guess you could say we tolerated each other. Anyway, I gave her some catnip and watched her go nuts for it, while my (then) boyfriend showered and shaved. I didn't really think of it at the time, but why the heck was he showering before a power walk?
Finally, we headed off to the park. He - freshly showered; me - in sweatpants and bed-head, hidden by a hat. We walked through part of the park, and it was great. Spring was in the air with each breath; the birds sang sweetly, and there were signs that the park's trees and lilac bushes were coming back to life after another cold & snowy winter. I love this time of year.
We took a detour into the park's conservatory to see the flowers. Sure enough, the spring blooms were on display in the seasonal room. We strolled through all the rooms, admiring the beautiful plants and flowers, and before long, my man was sitting on a bench in the room with all the spring flowers. I thought it was odd that he needed to sit down -- we hadn't been walking that long. Was he tired already?
I sat down beside him, since it became apparent that he wasn't moving any time soon. Once I sat, he started talking, telling me how glad he was to have me as a friend.
And then he asked me to marry him.
"Are you asking me for real?" Nice response, but that's what I said.
Then it was obvious - he was a little choked up, he had showered, shaved, and put on a nice shirt for a reason. I said yes. He pulled a ring box out of his pocket. There we were -- officially engaged.
Maybe I should have suspected that something was up that day, but I didn't. We had been talking about marriage since Christmas and had even looked at rings. He wanted to see what I liked. I knew he'd done a lot of research too, because he wanted to buy something of very good quality, that could become a family heirloom.
He surprised me that day though. It had been my idea to walk at that park and to go inside and see the display of spring flowers. It wasn't like he led me somewhere and had the event all planned out.
But I guess when I suggested that spot, he thought it would be a good time and place. He had the ring and was thinking about where to pop the question.
At times like this, on an anniversary of such a special event, I can't help but pause and be so grateful that he answered the ad, and that we got to know each other. And that he stuck around even though I couldn't steer a canoe.
My life today is what it is because of my husband. It's not always easy being married, especially when you marry "later in life." We were both pretty set in our ways, and it's been an adjustment for both of us to live and work together as partners. It's an adjustment that I'm glad to be making though. I can't imagine being married to anyone else, sharing life with anyone else.
Thanks for letting me into your heart, my dear hubby. I love you.
Happy Spring everyone!
With March winding down, it is time to hand out "perfect post" awards. This special event is coordinated by Petroville's MommaK and Lucinda of Suburban Turmoil.
