His Proposal | A Maui Engagement

We were relaxing along the shores of the Maui coast honoring our daily ritual of watching the sunset, a routine we began on our first trip to the same island almost five years ago to the day. The scene was blissful, but the chatter in my head, not so much. Alessandro was one year and some months way over due from his deadline.

A few years prior, he had asked me to move in with him by the fireplace in our suite at the Sonoma Mission Inn. I was excited but disappointed. I thought I had made it clear that I really enjoyed living alone in my darling little apartment in San Francisco, and if we ever planned on living together, there had better be a ring on my finger, because I didn't need a roommate. That's how saucy I am. ; )  Still, somehow, that information flew right over him. I weakened and gave into the idea. And so, there I was three years later festering. Why are his eyes closed? Why is he almost asleep? If he doesn't propose on this trip, so help me! I had had it. I spoke my peace so many times, and he was really wearing on my patience. This conversation in my wee little head went in circles. Until, all of a sudden and out of thin air gratitude slipped over me. Hello!! Where am I? Who am I with? Who do I share my life with? Who knows me best? And I realized, yes, marriage is important to me, but so is Alessandro and our love for one another. As I was thinking this, I looked over and nearly began to cry from laughter. He was so relaxed, so at ease. And there it was…. his fanny pack. It was wrapped around his waist. This anything-but-fashionable fanny pack that he wore on every vacation we took. When he looked up to ask me what was so funny, I pointed, and he knew. We both cried from laughter for a long, long time.

And when I finally sighed from the good feelings as I looked out at the sunset then back at him, he had taken out the box. Inside was my ring. And there was the proposal accompanied by, "Is my fanny pack funny now?" I'm still ashamed, to this day, of how hard it is for me to trust that my heart will receive its desires.

I'm sure there are many proposals about to be made during the season of Sir Valentine. I love a good proposal story, so shoot me a note if you would like to share yours.

xo