Our Engagement
On December 1, 2004, Brandon called Emily and wished her a happy 1year and 4month anniversary.
"I'm sorry we didn't get to celebrate. I wanted to take you out for a nice dinner and a movie but we just got too busy," Brandon said over the phone. "But if you aren't busy tomorrow, we could go out for dinner and we can get all dressed up like we have been talking about."
Emily, of course, was thrilled to be going on a date and even more thrilled to get out of the dorms where she was working as an RA at the time.
"Ok, I'll find a restaurant for us and you can pick me up after work since you'll have the car."
With plans made, Brandon woke up the next day with more things to do than he had time. Luckily, he had several friends in on a little secret, and they were there to help him out.
At 7p.m. on the dot, Brandon was waiting downstairs with the car, a bundle of bright red roses in hand. He was dressed in gray slacks and a long sleeved, button-up shirt, his best shoes recently shined.
Emily walked over to the car and gave Brandon a hug, accepting the roses with a beaming smile. Brandon carefully helped her into the car, seeming a little nervous but excited at the same time.
"Would you want to go look at some Christmas lights before we go to dinner," he said. "You said you've been wanting to do that and some ROTC guys said the ones at the Baughman Center are really pretty."
"I guess so," she replied. "But are you sure they are at the Baughman Center, I drove by there the other day and there was nothing."
"I think there might be some inside or something," he quickly recovered. "The guys weren't really specific."
"That will be fine, I love that place anyway. I hope it's open this late."
So the blue explorer pulled into the parking lot. Emily gathered her roses while Brandon fidgeted with something in the back of the car. Hand in hand, they walked to the door of the Baughman Center.
Brandon opened the door and ushered Emily inside. As she walked, she noticed first the table at the end of the aisle, covered in rose petals and adorned with two goblets and a bottle of wine. Then her eyes moved to the aisleway, covered in red rose petals, and the string lights illuminating the floor.
She kept trying to catch his attention, but Brandon just smiled and silently walked her to the front of the chapel.
As he got down on one knee, he took her hands and began to tell her why she was the only girl he would ever want to be with for the rest of his life. By the end of his profession, and as he slid the ring onto her finger, the only reply she could make to his proposal of marriage was, "Of course I will," in the country accent that creeps into her voice when she's not paying attention.
After that, friends rushed into the chapel, taking pictures and giving congratulations. It was a night never to be forgotten.