Lights in the Heights: Beginning
I sit here in an unusual situation. Despite the late hour and the long day spent yesterday, I am wide awake now. I type this from a computer that I am not used to, a laptop, so I feel awkward while typing. I am definitely grateful for spell check tonight.
I received an unusual phone call two Mondays ago. While sitting at my computer at home,on that late afternoon, my cell phone lit up with the name, Eric, my daughter's boyfriend. A feeling of depredation hit me as he has only called me one time. That was in October to wish me a happy birthday. I answered my cell phone and was pleasant, despite my wondering of the call. We had the usual pleasantries and he didn't sound worried, so my concern disappeared. My daughter must be OK.
He explained the call was to get my blessing to ask my daughter to marry him. He explained his crazy love and pure happiness with her. Of course, tears leaked from my eyes during his explanation of this and during the granting of my permission. He explained how he has been planning this since August. He talked of the first date and how he was going to replicate that. Their dinner date and then, the four block walk to a Christmas lighting party called, "Lights in the Heights." (The neighborhood where they used to live). Lights in the heights is basically, a huge block party where all the houses light up their homes and lawn decor in synchronization, and street parties ensue. He said during their participation at this event, he realized it was the best first date he ever had and there was something special about her...he knew.
He then told me that he was taking her to that restaurant where they shared their first meal. He would then, walk her to the same house where they partied. He had already gone to that house to talk to the homeowner and get permission to have a group of friends and family await their arrival, in the back yard, so Shauna wouldn't know of the surprise. He said the homeowner, Bill, was more than cooperative. Shauna knew nothing of the planned event, and everyone was sworn to secrecy. He was praying that no one spilled the beans.
The third time I shed tears during this conversation was when he stated, "and Claire, the only other thing that would make this perfect for Shauna is if you were here to watch me propose to your daughter. Claire, I have already checked into flight plans and tickets, and if you are willing, I'd like to fly you out to be here, for Shauna. I'm paying for your flight." After I deliberated with him and said that was the most amazing offer ever, but unnecessary, he should save his money, he insisted.
So plans were set for me to fly to Houston on December 8th to watch the event. I then laughed and said, "Oh and Eric, I won't post it on face book". He laughed and said, "No face book, no tweeting or Linked In or any of your other social media." He then directed me to not call him, email or text him, as he didn't want to take any chances of her seeing communications. He would only use his Baylor University email from school to send me the tickets and flight info. He finished by getting her two brothers' phone numbers and email addresses so he could share the news with them, and make sure they were approving of his proposal. What a gentleman, right?
This post explains my temporary setting from which I write. It explains the happiest event of 2012, as opposed to the sad or frustrating occurrences of this year. I am choosing to end my writing for the time being, as I have more to say and explain, and hopefully, pictures to post here of the event. By they way, during the moments of her shock at the surprise, she cried tears of happiness and said, "Yes."
Eric has set the bar high with the planning and completion of this surprise. It went off without a hitch. I can't wait to write more of the actual time frame before, during and after those precious moments.
I received an unusual phone call two Mondays ago. While sitting at my computer at home,on that late afternoon, my cell phone lit up with the name, Eric, my daughter's boyfriend. A feeling of depredation hit me as he has only called me one time. That was in October to wish me a happy birthday. I answered my cell phone and was pleasant, despite my wondering of the call. We had the usual pleasantries and he didn't sound worried, so my concern disappeared. My daughter must be OK.
He explained the call was to get my blessing to ask my daughter to marry him. He explained his crazy love and pure happiness with her. Of course, tears leaked from my eyes during his explanation of this and during the granting of my permission. He explained how he has been planning this since August. He talked of the first date and how he was going to replicate that. Their dinner date and then, the four block walk to a Christmas lighting party called, "Lights in the Heights." (The neighborhood where they used to live). Lights in the heights is basically, a huge block party where all the houses light up their homes and lawn decor in synchronization, and street parties ensue. He said during their participation at this event, he realized it was the best first date he ever had and there was something special about her...he knew.
He then told me that he was taking her to that restaurant where they shared their first meal. He would then, walk her to the same house where they partied. He had already gone to that house to talk to the homeowner and get permission to have a group of friends and family await their arrival, in the back yard, so Shauna wouldn't know of the surprise. He said the homeowner, Bill, was more than cooperative. Shauna knew nothing of the planned event, and everyone was sworn to secrecy. He was praying that no one spilled the beans.
The third time I shed tears during this conversation was when he stated, "and Claire, the only other thing that would make this perfect for Shauna is if you were here to watch me propose to your daughter. Claire, I have already checked into flight plans and tickets, and if you are willing, I'd like to fly you out to be here, for Shauna. I'm paying for your flight." After I deliberated with him and said that was the most amazing offer ever, but unnecessary, he should save his money, he insisted.
So plans were set for me to fly to Houston on December 8th to watch the event. I then laughed and said, "Oh and Eric, I won't post it on face book". He laughed and said, "No face book, no tweeting or Linked In or any of your other social media." He then directed me to not call him, email or text him, as he didn't want to take any chances of her seeing communications. He would only use his Baylor University email from school to send me the tickets and flight info. He finished by getting her two brothers' phone numbers and email addresses so he could share the news with them, and make sure they were approving of his proposal. What a gentleman, right?
This post explains my temporary setting from which I write. It explains the happiest event of 2012, as opposed to the sad or frustrating occurrences of this year. I am choosing to end my writing for the time being, as I have more to say and explain, and hopefully, pictures to post here of the event. By they way, during the moments of her shock at the surprise, she cried tears of happiness and said, "Yes."
Eric has set the bar high with the planning and completion of this surprise. It went off without a hitch. I can't wait to write more of the actual time frame before, during and after those precious moments.
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