Steven & Beth // Part 3
We headed to my house after getting some Jeni’s ice cream. Steven said I had about 2 hours until we needed to leave the house. This meant I could get ready slowly which was perfect for me! I work at Express, during their black friday 50% off sale, I had bought an anniversary dress. The first time Steven came to visit me, I bought a dress for whenever we would go on our first date. It was just fitting for me to do the same on such a special occasion.
I did my make up, kept my hair in a top bun, put some tights on, and slipped into my new dress. I went around the house to get everyones approval but my mom wasn’t a big fan. Then I panicked because if she didn’t like it then I probably looked bad in it. I then managed to try on 5 other dresses. Everyone liked a different one. None of them were quite right. I didn’t know what do. FInally, I just slipped back into the first dress and it was the one!
Steven and I were about 1 hour behind schedule. But he didn’t seem to care that I was taking so long. He waited patiently until I was finally ready. After all, I thought that he might be proposing so I had to look perfect. And if he wasn’t, I still wanted to look beautiful on our special night.
Steven and I drove out of my house but we had to stop for gas. When we stopped at the station, Steven told me I had to pump the gas. I was furious. I was wearing high heels, a short dress, and it was freezing outside. I thought this was supposed to be a date where the guys a gentleman and chivalrous for the lady! I got out of the car and pumped gas into the car. Steven was trying to figure out directions to the next surprise. But I was still annoyed.
I got back into the car and was sitting silently in the car with an attitude on my face. Steven was so happy and giddy that it annoyed me even more. He didn’t even want to argue with me about it. Instead he was sweet and apologized. I got more annoyed until finally I just bursted out in laughter. Sometimes when I act ridiculous, I just think I’m funny. I’m glad I laughed because I didn’t want to be in a mood for the next surprise.
5th Surprise
Steven had put in the directions into my iPhone and off we were to dinner. We finally reached downtown Columbus and the GPS said we had arrived to the Columbus Art Museum. I was confused and obviously not paying attention to where we were going. I thought we were going to a restaurant. I then thought that we were going to spend a little time in the museum or meet some of our good friends there. I wasn’t sure which one it was but I was excited. I love the museum. Steven and I spent a whole day there during Christmas break last year. It is one of my favorite dates we had.
We drove around to the back parking lot where there was a bunch of construction going on. We got out of the car and headed to the front entrance. Steven kept saying, we need to go in at the front. I was a bit suspicious, but like I said, I thought we were maybe meeting some of our friends there.
As we were walking around the building, I remembered that the museum is only open during work hours. I told him that but he didn’t really respond. We finally reach the front entrance. It was beautifully lit by christmas trees and the building next door had a huge lights arrangement. At the top step of the front entrance was a single rose and a journal. At that moment I knew.
Steven opened the journal and read “our” poem, Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda.
Sonnet XVII
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
Pablo Neruda
He told me he lied, that we weren’t going into the museum. Instead he had a question for me. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was balling. Uncontrollably. I had thought a lot about this moment and really thought I wouldn’t cry. I thought I would be really happy but very nonchalant about it. Why? I have no idea. I looked down at the ring and at him and I nodded my head since I could barely speak with all the sobbing I was doing.
I kept sobbing. After I had calmed down a bit we headed back to the car where I continued sobbing. He kept smiling and laughing and I was just very emotional and happy.
We then realized we didn’t take any pictures so we headed back to the front entrance of the art museum. We took a lot of pictures and just marveled at my ring.
6th Surprise
We finally headed to dinner. We went to Haiku in the Short North. We were still smiling and just completely on cloud 9. Our waitress came over to us about 3 times before we could even order. I just had so many questions about how he pulled it off and everything leading up to that day. My sweet best friend, Madison, had brought over bacon and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days that morning. She said she had the hardest time finding that movie. She also helped arrange everything at the art museum. Originally he had planned for there to be candles all over the steps. Madison had arranged them all perfect when the the museums security told her she wasn’t allowed to light them because it was a fire hazard.
After getting all the details of the day, we finally ordered. I had sushi and he had Pad Thai. This place was delicious. When we were done eating, Steven told me we had one more surprise.
He said we were headed somewhere else for dessert. I sort of guessed this last surprise. We drove to Easton where we parked in front of The Melting Pot. I had never been there so I was really excited to try it out. As Steven asked for our table. He said it might be under Steven, Beth or Madison. The guys behind the counter said, “Oh? Bush (Madison’s boyfriends last name) party of 18?”
I laughed, Stevens eyes widened, and the girl standing next to the host looked at the guy talking to us, nudged his arm, which told him he had done something wrong.
We walked to our table, all my family and closest friends were waiting to celebrate with us! I showed off my ring, hugged my parents, took what felt like a million pictures, and I told my friends how Steven proposed to me. It was such a special time to share with the people I love most.
8th Surprise
So this surprise was not planned by Steven, but by my oldest brother Jonathan. My guilty pleasure is the Bachelor and Bachelorette. My brothers both live in Miami. You know who else lives in Miami? Juan Pablo Galavis! This seasons Bachelor! Naturally, since my brother got home, I asked him how the season ended but then decided I didn’t want to ruin the season by knowing and begged for my christmas present to be a 3 minute FaceTime session with Juan Pablo. He said no way.
While I was chatting with my friends about being engaged, Jonathan came over and said, “ Check your phone. I’m sending you something.” I didn’t think anything of it because Jonathan and I bond over texting funny animal pictures to each other. I usually send him pictures of cute dogs or tiny hedgehogs. He usually send me pictures of his cat Chanci or funny things he finds online. Oddly enough, it has really brought us closer together. As I waited for a funny animal picture. It was a video...from Juan Pablo!
I was so excited! I called Steven over and we immediately watched it! Steven loves the show too (though he wont admit it), he just loves making fun of it! But I don’t mind because that means he’s willing to snuggle with me while I watch the show.
I thanked Jonathan and ran over to my girlfriend to show off the video! They love the show just as much as I do! We watched it over and over because we were so excited!
After our excitement settled and my friends left. It was finally just Steven and I with our family. We sat around the table and just chatted. Carly started asking us questions about why we loved each other and about marriage. It turned into a Julca initiation for Steven. Everyone gave us advice. Thank you to the people of The Melting Pot for letting us stay an hour and a half after closing time. Spending that time with my family was priceless and a memory I’ll never forget.
I couldn’t have asked for a better day. I got to spend the day with Steven, which are always treasured days when you are doing the long distance relationship thing, I got engaged to the love of my life, and I got to share it with the most important people in my life.
As we headed home, we missed most of our turns because we were so distracted by the whole day. When we finally made it home, it started to snow. I love snow. I even considered getting married in the snow, everyone talked me out of it. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
xoxo
B.