Living Outside The Lines: The Proposal
October 5, 2016 marked the 32nd anniversary of the day I met my husband, and the 31st anniversary of the day he proposed. For those like me who struggle with math, we got engaged exactly one year to the date after we met. I wish I had a beautifully romantic engagement story to share with you. I don’t. What I do have however, is the tale of one unbelievably unique proposal.
There are no rules for how the guy asks the girl. Proposals are as unique as the individuals offering them, and can range from the more traditional down on one knee, to the diamond ring floating in a glass of champagne, to a sky written request, to whatever level of creativity one desires to go. Ultimately what matters is that she answers, “YES.”
Recently two different friends got engaged, both enjoyed destination proposals. One friend was on an Alaskan cruise with her beloved when he surprised her with a ring, and the other friend’s fiancée proposed to her on secret Hawaiian getaway. She thought they were going to see family. I will admit, the green eyed monster showed up on my door both times. Alaska? Hawaii? All I got was a 1973 Ford pickup truck!
October 5, 1984 was the huge crosstown rivalry football game between Killeen and Ellison High Schools. I met my husband for the first time that night while hanging out with friends after the game. He was a year older than me, and although we had attended the same high school the year before, our paths had never crossed. I was a high school senior, he a college freshman.
We talked on the phone a lot and I saw him when he came home on weekends, but nothing too serious until after I graduated from high school. With my graduation, came an interesting maturity on my part. Suddenly, I was no longer interested in casual dating, I wanted more.
Evoking a boldness, I did not normally carry, I asked him a hard question, the one no guy likes to answer, “Where is this relationship going?” I further complicated the matter with this statement, “If there is no ring attached at some point, then I’m not wasting my time.” I was eighteen years old, and to this day I have no idea what prompted my action.
My boldness paid off however, because on October 5, 1985 he presented me with an engagement ring. It was again the night of the crosstown rivalry game, Killeen High School versus our alma mater, Ellison High. Just like all the other good little alumni, we were headed to the game. Here’s how the story unfolded:
We were in his truck, stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Business Highway 190 and 38th Street in downtown Killeen, Texas. From the driver’s seat, he reached across me, pulled open the glove box and said, “I think there’s something in there for you.” I honestly cannot recall what happened next. I think I may have opened the box and looked dumbfounded? It makes a really great story though to say that right about then the light turned green, and he had to go back to driving. Honestly, that is probably what happened.
Despite the ultimatum I’d offered him, his proposal took me completely by surprise. We’d talked about marriage, about how long it might take to plan a wedding, but it was all talk; we had not even gone window shopping for rings. Nevertheless, six short months later, in Copperas Cove, Texas we became Mr. & Mrs. James Miller Jr.
While my proposal pales in comparison to the excitement of some others, and would never be made into a movie starring Sandra Bullock, that’s okay. It’s my story, thinking about it always makes me smile, and I hope it brought a smile to your face as well. I promised you it was unique.
Until Next Time,
“Warrior Princess”
