The Proposal

Oct 3, 2010 | Filed in Daniel | 11 Comments

Friday, October 1, 2010 – My hands were shaking as I sat down beside Daniel on the wall made of rocks. The autumn air was cold and crisp and we cuddled together under the trees in the park. Soft lights glowed in the dark like little lanterns. I told Daniel I had written something that I wanted to share with him.

I knew that I would never be able to memorize all the words I wanted to say, so I had written out my feelings earlier in the afternoon. It was so easy to write. I didn’t struggle to find the right things, because it all came straight from my heart. So I pulled out my phone and read the note I’d saved on it (what a modern spin on traditional romance, eh?).

He smiled at me, listening to every word intently, as I talked about the life we’d have together and how happy we’d be. The dialogue was purposely intended to build up to the last line, in which I got down on one knee, pulled the ring out of my pocket, and asked him to marry me.

With a breathless “Yes,” he seemed to fight back emotional tears as we kissed and I slipped the ring on his finger. We held on to each other for a few moments, enjoying the overwhelming feelings of joy as a newly engaged couple. And that’s when the police car rolled up.

I knew it was going to be something stupid, but I was too happy in the moment to really care. We weren’t doing anything wrong, weren’t breaking any laws, and certainly weren’t doing anything inappropriate. We were just two men in love, sitting on a rock in the park, and clearly clothed with our hands above our waists.

“The park is closed,” he said as he got out of his car and walked toward us.

“Oh, it is?” Daniel inquired in a neutral tone. “What time did it close?”

“10 o’ clock,” he said back.

“Okay, thank you,” I responded.

I didn’t sense any trouble. He didn’t seem harsh, or hateful, or confrontational in any way. In fact, I later looked up the park online and it’s listed as closing at dark. So when he told us 10PM, he may have even been giving us some leeway. I’m not sure exactly what time it was, but I know it was around 10:45.

Still, it is a twist in our story. I believe that every proposal must have a bit of comedy involved, since they always require planning, and surprises, and nervousness. I’m just glad I got to finish my proposal before he showed up. I got to say everything I’d planned on saying and I’m so happy to be engaged to the man I love!

Daniel and I plan on having a ceremony for family and friends here in Nashville. We haven’t decided on a firm date, but we are thinking about something next spring. We also plan to go to a state where gay marriage is legal, so we can officially be married!

We’re so much in love, and so happy together. As I told Daniel during my proposal, loving him is as easy as breathing. He’s the one I want to spend my life with.

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I'm a happily married gay man, self employed as a website designer, writing about my life and the world as I see it.
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