December 22, 2014

Jon's Story

After months of brainstorming and weeks of planning.  I decided I wanted to surprise Trisha with the proposal.  Problem was how do you bring that surprise element to someone who doesn't like surprises and wants to know everything that's going on?  You get friends to help out and make sure they don't spill the beans.  We had already drove up to Sacramento for the holidays, but the plan was for me to stay the week.  Trisha had to fly back to San Diego for a few days of work before coming back up to Sacramento.  This was the perfect time for me to propose, since she would have no idea that I would be there.  

The plan was to propose in the evening on Coronado Island at the Bayview Park, which is a hidden gem to one of the most spectacular views of the San Diego skyline.  After flying in that same day and running around town to gather everything for the proposal, Trisha was planning on going to dinner with her close friend Jo who was already in on the engagement surprise.  Jo had told Trisha that she had to make a special work trip to drop something off in Coronado.  Trisha had no idea.  It wasn't until they pulled up to the park and Jo had to tell Trisha to get out.  Since it was fairly dark already, you could see from the street paper lanterns lighting up the tree and a candlelit walkway laid with rose petals that led to a small table with pictures from our past and scrabble tiles spelling out "Jon & Trisha".  At this point Trisha knew what was going on and was shocked.  She was in the car for a while and I was getting more and more nervous wondering why she wasn't getting out.  Finally she came out and it was hard to see, so I had to tell her to pick up long stem roses where I had written out 13 promises on each rose.  Once she got to the table I then sent Zoe, our little Frenchie, out to see her mom.  They were both so excited to greet each other and then I snuck out from the trees.  With so much excitement and love, I got down on one knee, brought out the ring and tried my best to remember everything I had wanted to say in my proposal.  SHE SAID YES!  It was one of the best moments of my life and the surprises weren't over.  I had flown a couple of our close friends down as well and they jumped out from hiding and they were able to celebrate with us.  

It was one of the greatest nights of our lives and it worked out to perfection.

Trisha's Story

I'm the first to admit I'm a bit of a snoop so after a few subtle "hints" (Jon having a mystery lunch with my parents & Jo hinting at getting my nails done), I had an inkling that Jon was going to propose during the holidays.  We both flew home to Sacramento together the weekend before Christmas but because I worked two days that week, I returned to San Diego solo.  Feeling pretty bummed to be in San Diego without Jon (and Zoe), Jo invited me out for an impromptu dinner and drinks on Monday evening.  As usual, Jo picked me up but told me she had to first drop off an urgent delivery to her patient in Coronado (for all you pharmacy nerds, it was Neulasta and she even put an ice pack in a paper bag, in case I checked!)  We circled around the island for a bit (which I later learned was to throw me off, but I had attributed to Jo's normal driving :)) until we stopped in front of Bayview Park - a place Jon and I had been to many a times to admire the view of the downtown San Diego skyline, pick out dream high-rises to live in and watch boats cruise on the bay.  Only this time, the entire park was lit up - candles framed the small paved walkway and lanterns hung in the trees - it was absolutely beautiful.  At that moment, I knew it was happening!

Literally in shock, as tears of joy and happiness rolled down my face, I (finally) stepped out of the car (after exclaiming to Jo several times in disbelief!) and started walking down the path.  "Go back and read the roses!" Jon's voice said, from the darkness.  I looked down and noticed purple roses strewn along the walkway, each with a promise for as many number of years we had been dating.  I used one of the mason jar candles to read each one aloud, my favorite being "I promise to grow old with you."  Each step I took, I heard a camera shutter and knew a photographer was also hiding behind a tree.  At the end of the pathway, behind a table with framed pictures and Scrabble letters spelling out LOVE, Jon appeared - beaming with a smile from ear to ear, along with our pup Zoe!

To be completely honest, I can't remember exactly what Jon said as he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him - I can only remember the feeling of utter happiness, joy and surprise in his sweet and special proposal!  The moment took me back to when Jon brought me a miniature rose plant on our second date in lieu of flowers - a unique and thoughtful gesture much like his elaborate proposal plan.  I later learned the "photographer" behind the tree was Wiley and hiding beside him was Lian, two of my best friends who had flown down to help Jon set up!  The four of them had been scheming for weeks using Jon's work cell to communicate and plotting a way to get me out to Coronado on a weeknight.

I absolutely cannot wait to marry my better half - the one who pulled off the surprise of a lifetime!  We are excited to share our very special day with all of you who have helped us get to this place in our journey!