A few weeks ago, Caroline and I were shopping for our folks because Christmas was around the corner. To my delightful grazing of the mall sections, holding her hand tightly, we walked past a jewelery store, and my big mouth naturally itched out a random phrase or such. It just so happened that in the moment, I asked a subliminally curious question... "Caroline, how would you like it if I got you a ring for Christmas?"
A smile shot out of her passive face, and as her eyes glistened, she uttered, "what kind of ring?"
In a murmuring voice, I replied, "Um... a shiny one?"
What a trip to the mall that had been. Ever since the summer, we both have rediscovered ourselves, and in turn, rediscovered how beautiful our relationship can be. We have, since, talked about our future of being together. And it is pretty clear that we're both expecting to grow old with each other.
For a couple of days, she had to be away for the Eastman Wind Ensemble tour. I thought to myself that it would be the perfect occasion for me to head out and get her a Christmas present. I planned to visit the jewelry store and buy her a ring.
With my emotional uneasiness, I proceeded to enter the store. The uneasiness within me stems from the fact that I've never done this before. But regardless of the anxiety in me, I summed up enough courage to ask for help from one of the store's saleslady. Throughout my stay at the jewelry store, I was enlightened in different ways. It took a good hour or so before I finally decided my course of action. I knew that a ring would suffice for Christmas, but I also knew that I should set my eyes on an engagement ring.
The night she came back, I was as nonchalant as I could be. There were no traces of the evidence, as I kept it well hidden from sight. The following morning was when all my plans were executed. Knowing her, she would probably check her mailbox as soon as she leaves my room in the morning. Since I knew she was going to do that, I would put the ring into her mailbox only after she checked it for the first time... so I could go on ahead and tell her to check it for a second time - and there her surprise awaits.
So I did exactly that. It went accordingly.
She thought it was the real deal. She thought I was proposing. She took the ring out of the tiny box and handed it to me, and she wanted me to put it onto her finger. But as she presented her left hand, I stopped her and shook my head. Instead of putting it on her left hand, I put the ring on her right. Her face read, "ouch."
I could tell that she was not happy, and tears were starting to swell up in her eyes. So I stepped closer to her and cut the chase. I told her the truth.
"Caroline, you know that I want to be with you. I love you very much. This is not the real deal, but let me assure you that it is coming. I'm going to get the ring and everything, and when the moment happens, it'll be very beautiful. I already have it all planned out."
Her face lightened up, and she poured out with tears of joy. In that span of 3 minutes, her emotions brought her around a roller-coaster that was unfamiliar in all ways. I could tell she was expecting me to kneel, propose and carry on from there... this made me realize a lot about what the woman really thought and felt about our relationship.
This experience motivated me. In many ways, it is a prayer answered. A dream realized. A wish come true.
This morning, I woke up feeling complete.
