The Proposal

It all started a couple of years ago, on one of the many trips back from the airport. We drove by a Charley's, a famous steakhouse is Tampa. Scott just happened to mention that he had taken a couple of prom dates there. Of course, I said, "When are you going to take me there?" He said, "That's not a restaurant for a date, that's a like an engagement dinner place." So that was that and I was pretty sure at that point that it would be a long, long, long, time before I ever got to go there.

The day before I left to go to Florida, Scott called me and said bring a dress. Anyone who know anything about Scott is that he doesn't dress up, so immediately I asked what was going on. He told me we were going to Charley's. What??? Charley's??? Of course my mind was racing...is he really going to propose? Does he remember saying that?

I tried very hard not to think about possibly getting engaged, because I didn't want to get my hopes up. My brother helped me to decide that Scott was getting a "promotion" at work and wanted to celebrate with a nice dinner out. I tried to let that be enough but I just had to ask his mom a few questions...or maybe a little bit more than a few...but she gave no sign of knowing anything. The one piece of advice from Carla was just to enjoy the dinner and to try not to think about Scott popping the question.

We made it to dinner and I was on the look out for every little thing. We ordered an appetizer and I saw Scott staring at the plate. Oh...maybe he put it on the plate and I missed it. I started to look on the plate and Scott said what are you doing? Guess I will have to wait...Then the waitress came by and I thought maybe she had it...nope! Dinner was fantastic! At one point Scott reached to his pocket and I thought "IT'S REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN NOW!" but he said that he was glad he remembered to grab his wallet. After dinner he asked if I wanted dessert and I was thinking of course I do...this is when people get the ring in the movies. But dessert came with no ring and I was beginning to get really sad! The fudgie brownie vanila ice cream yumminess did help a little.

We left the restaurant and I was pretty much done for the night. As hard as I tried not to, I got my hopes up! We got in the car and Scott didn't want to go home yet. I told him I didn't care what we did. I just looked out the window. I jokingly said...Let's go on all the bridges in Tampa. (I have a serious fear of bridges, so I thought that would be a great topper for the night!) So we went drivng around the bay and tried to go to one of the many parks to watch the sunset and they were all closed. We continued to drive and I continued to stare out the window. He kept asking me what I was thinking because I was so quiet and I just couldn't tell him that I was thinking how I was disappointed.

We made it out to Clearwater Beach and the rain had stopped. We walked out to the beach and it was a perfect view. A beautiful sunset was right in front of us and on either side of us was a a lightning storm. We talked on the beach, kissed a little, and watched the ocean, the sunset and the storms.

When I was ready to leave, Scott starting hitting his pockets and said "I don't know where my keys are!" Now, watching the sunset had put me in a little bit of a better mood but those 6 words completely threw that mood out the window. First of all there was a storm coming and we were on the beach and there was no cover! Second of all it would take anyone at least an hour to get to us! Third this was just what I wanted to hear after I thought I would get engaged and didn't!

I turned around to retrace our steps, hoping that I could find the key. After I took a few steps, Scott said "Hey!" I turned around and there he was down on one knee with a ring outstretched. It took me a few seconds to realize what was going on. Then there were those words from the love of my life..."I love you! Will you marry me." Sunset on the beach with the one I love...It was perfect!