Where to begin...how do I begin the story of the most wonderful experience in my life!
It was Friday, June 6th...James had planned to take us to dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse, reservation at 9:30pm. With so much time to kill before dinner he suggested dropping by The Getty Museum and taking in the Impressionist wing - our favorite.
At that point he said he didn't feel well, and went to use the restroom. 10 minutes later he emerged dripping sweat. I thought, dear Lord, that was one crazy dump! (It all makes sense later - I promise). We concluded he felt much better so we grabbed a glass of wine and paraded through The Getty, taking pictures and absorbing the sunset.
From there we went into the gardens. (My favorite part!) After touring the gardens I suggested we sit at an open bench. We started talking and he mentioned he'd been working on writing poetry and had written something about us. And so it began, the most beautiful poem I've ever heard (he had the first two stanzas memorized!):
"Blessed am I to share a love without compare
I couldn't imagine going to sleep at night without looking into your beautiful stare
A claustrophobic man emerges to breathe the sweet air
I awake to the other half of my soul and run my fingers through her golden hair
As the velvety syrah fills our glasses, I can't help but to relish the journey that led us here
The night a rose bloomed out of the ashes
Was the night my gaze fell up on you one starry night, at one of Isla Vista's bashes
Since that night, thousands of sunsets we have watched fade over the Pacific
Our love is destined to be nothing short of prolific
Maybe the claustrophobic moments were of a fear
That I would let another get too near
Then your lips meet mine and my destiny has never been so clear
Never again shall I kiss another's lips
I see a beautiful life with you full of amazing trips
Your belief in me has made me the man I am today
I want to be by your side until we are old and gray"
...and so James got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. A soon as I said yes, following kisses, hugs and tears, he reached into the bush beside the bench for the bottle of champagne he had tucked away when he "went to the bathroom". No bathroom trip was ever involved people, just a guy hiding a bottle of champagne in the gardens!!! Yay!!!
He said he had another surprise so we were on our way...
Next thing I knew, we pulled up to the W Hotel in Westwood where he had reserved the most beautiful mega suite, decorated with the poem already framed, fresh rose petals, champagne, a stack of wedding magazines with a big pink bow, and he played a CD he made for us...the first song was "My Brown Eyed Girl". He had thought of everything, packed a bag for me and all! Needless to say, it was a beautiful night.
Thank you for letting me share this moment with you. Hopefully you've enjoyed the story (although long - I just couldn't bear to leave anything out!!!).
Please enjoy the picture collage too!!!
