April 2, 2011 was our 2 year dating anniversary! Since moving to California I have conversed about how much I wanted to visit a small costal town called Mendicino, which is 3 hours north of Oakland. When we talked about how to celebrate our anniversary, Eric took the initiative to plan it all. I was both surprised and at ease that he would do such a thing!
In the morning, we loaded our bikes into a rental car and journeyed up north for a day of adventure, food and fun! I wondered on the drive up, "Will he propose today? This would be a great opportunity!" We arrived, had breakfast and prepared our bikes for the prospects of some great leisure riding. We headed toward the coast. The colors of the ocean were breathtaking! The deep greens of the ocean gave it warmth that, frankly the Atlantic just lacks (sorry, it’s so true though!). The wind that afternoon was violent! The gusts were so strong that you could lean on the air and the resistance would dependably hold you up. I was miserable after 10 minutes because the whip of sand was stinging my eyes and any idea of looking cute on this day was now, not realistic. I think I felt my hair starting to turn into a uni dreadlock, and I was not going for that look on this day. I suggested that we go look for a pathway along the river under a bridge we had seen when we came into the town. Eric's response was quick and firm "No, it is not the coast!". (Apparently he had envisioned, proposing on the coast, I found out later) I again expressed my discomfort and we went on our way. At this point in time Eric said "So where do you want to go? You lead the way, I will just follow you". As I biked away, I drew the conclusion that Eric had NO intention of proposing because he clearly had no plan or goal for the day. We collaboratively came up with the idea to find a spot to read Cannery Row and eat Mike and Ikes at. I led the way toward the path and we biked into the sunshine and safety of a windless calm that was the river runoff of the ocean. Eric was adamant that he wanted to find a perfect spot and eventually took the lead on the path. He picked a spot that required hiking down a hill of brush and poison oak. So we carried our bikes and adventured like Tom and Huck. “This special spot” took us jumping over two creeks, falling into quick sand- like mud spots and dodging poisonous leaves. We did find the best spot!
As we sat down to rest, Eric pulled out a huge bag and said "I got you an anniversary gift". The bag was filled with tissue paper. I took all of the paper out and thought, um did Eric forget to input the gift? I looked at him puzzled and he said “keep looking, but be careful it doesn’t fall into the water". I finally got to the heart shaped box with a latch. I looked at him before opening and I felt all of my insides shaking. At that moment Eric said " Are you ready to have an amazing life together"? I opened the box and he asked me to marry him. The rest of the evening was filled with feelings that I didn’t knoweven existed. I was for the first time in my life happy and speechless for hours.
In August Eric will become my husband and although this is all new, scary and filled with emotion I have never been surer of taking a risk because the person I will be journeying with, I really believe in and love.
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