The Proposal

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The Proposal:

• Date: 12.30.2009
• Place: Philadelphia International Airport
• Ring: see pic :)

• Story:

Note: As you read this, keep in mind that I am notorious for ruining any surprises for me. Also, this story has a lot of background info which are vital to the whole

I first suspected that Cole would soon propose after he mentioned that the next time we see each other (following the holiday season) I may have a ring on my finger. We saw each other for Thanksgiving and a few days before Christmas--but no proposal! I flew back up to Philly after Christmas kind of disappointed, but I still believed that we would be engaged soon.

Cole was coming up to Philly to spend New Years' with me, but for some reason I did not consider this as part of the holiday season and was not expecting a proposal around this time--that is until my suspicions were raised by a couple of things and confirmed by 2 more people. First, which turned out to be pure coincidence, my sister told me that I had to get a pretty dress for New Years. I thought to myself, "Why is she so interested in what I wear for New Years? Is something going to happen??" Then Cole suggested the Sean and Jess come spend New Years Eve with us. My thoughts, "Oh, he wants to propose in front of friends!" Now, the events that sealed the deal...

1. Part of the phone conversation with Cole as he drove to the Atlanta Airport:

Cole: Is Rebekah coming to the propo... new years?

Gloria: What did you say?

Cole: Hm? What?

Gloria: What did you say???

Cole: What did you hear?

Gloria: You said, "is Rebekah coming to the propo..."

Cole: I didn't say that, you're making that up.

Gloria: Nope, you said "propo!"

Cole: Oh, you were looking around every corner for it anyway.

:D

2. A couple hours after the above conversation my dad sent me an email. Here's what he wrote:

"Cole called me today to ask for my blessing, because he would like to marry you. I did give him my blessing. He told me that he bought a ring and was going to present the ring to you when you land at the airport in Atlanta. I am sure you already know it before you get this email."

My reaction to this: Shocked, Happy, Confused. "What does he mean when I arrive in Atlanta? How did he not know not to send an email like this??" Turns out, he was a bit confused on what Cole said. He thought that I was flying to Atlanta (which he knows I did several times in the last 2 months) and Cole was going to propose then. He also thought that by the time he sent the email, Cole would've already proposed. Oh, daddy...

By now, I was pretty certain that something was going to happen on new years eve, but this airport thing threw me for a a bit of a loop. Finally, it was time to pick Cole up at the airport. Prior to this visit, I had always parked to pick him up even though the Philadelphia airport parking is a little expensive ($3 for half an hour, $5 for one hour). Well, this time I suggested that I could just pick him up without parking so I could save that $3 (it adds up!), but Cole persuaded me to come in and get him because he always parked when he picked me up (it's only $1 for ONE hour in Atlanta--can you tell this is something that really irritates me about Philly?). However, there were some miscommunication, timing messed up, and I drove to the departures section instead of the arrivals and I told him that it was pointless to park for 2 minutes and spend $3. He kept insisting that I come in, which made me a little angry because I really did not want to spend that money. Well, I relented, parked, and made my way into the busy airport to find him.

When I finally found him, he told me that he was really hungry and needed something to eat (this was one of the many reasons he had for making me park) so we walked over to where there was an Auntie Anne. Just before we walked over to get him some food, he said, "oh my parents wanted me to give you your present straight away" and began looking through his bag. He got on his knee and rummaged through his bag for my present all the while asking, "you still love me?" (because he felt bad for somewhat ruining the surprise). I decided to help him look since he looked like he was having a hard time... then he stopped held out the ring!

Even though I was semi-expecting it, I was still shocked mainly because I couldn't believe that it was actually happening! There was a part of the proposal that completely surprised me. Cole had enlisted the help of my friend Rebekah in video recording this event. She did an awesome job at not being seen and filming! Thanks, Rebekah!!! I'll post the video here soon :)