Sorry for the delay on the proposal story. It's been a hectic month with both wedding planning and school, but I came to realization today that my life is going to stay that way until I get done with boards in June, so I might as well write the blog now. Keep in mind that I have a test tomorrow that I need to be studying for, so you aren't going to get all the nitty-gritty, dirty details, but it will suffice. Drum roll please....
The Set Up:It was our first week back to classes after Christmas break, and I was already in high stress mode. Not only was I freaking out about all the tests coming up that I needed to do really well on, but I was also having mini panic attacks whenever the looming Step 1 board exam came to mind. I decided I needed to start doing some stress relieving exercises so that I didn't implode before this summer ever arrived. After much research online, I came up with my plan: eat healthier, exercise regularly, pray more, and get massages. It was going to be the cure to my stress, I was sure of it. So I called and set up a massage for that Friday afternoon, and the only time available was 4pm. I took it, marked it on the calendar, and went on with my week.
Ed was extremely busy that week. He was going into his lab more than usual to get extra research done and he was spending more time interviewing and seeing patients than usual, but he was happy as a clam. I was a little frustrated that he was gone so much, but it was hard to get too upset because he was doing things that were important to his education. Little did I know that the time spent in the lab on Monday was him meeting with my dad to ask permission for my hand. And then the time spent with patients on Tuesday afternoon was really him driving to and from Cincinnati to go purchase my ring. Tricky little guy.
On Thursday afternoon, Andrew informed me that he was leaving the next day to go back to Wheaton College in Chicago, instead of Sunday like he had originally planned. He asked if I wanted to meet him for lunch on Friday, but I thought we should have a more formal going away party for him. I called up Mom and told her we should go out to eat that night as a family. She was so confused and kept arguing with me that Andrew wasn't leaving until Sunday, so we could do it later that weekend. She didn't believe me so she called Andrew and asked what was going on. He explained to her that this fake goodbye party was needed for Ed's proposal story, so she needed to play along. Mama called me back and said I was right, he was leaving, so we made plans to meet at Ramsey's for dinner that night. We had a great dinner, then Ed and I said our goodbyes to Andrew and went back to our studying.
The Scene:Friday afternoon finally arrived. I dropped Ed off at his lab like usual at 1 pm so he could get some research done, and I went back to my apartment to study and get some other errands done before my massage at 4pm. The plan was for me to pick him up when I was done with my massage. I went into the massage feeling like crap (for lack of a better word); I was so incredibly stressed out. I had all the classic symptoms of anxiety - muscle tension, light headed, indigestion, fatigue, etc. An hour later, I came out feeling like a new woman. I was excited to see Ed and let him know how great I felt and how ready I was tackle the studying that needed to be done. I got to my car and found my phone - 2 missed calls and a missed text message from Andrew (my brother). "Call me ASAP," it read.
I called him to find out his car had broken down on his drive back to college. He hadn't made it very far, so he was wondering if I could pick him up. He couldn't get a hold of mom or dad, and he was desperate for a ride. He claimed his car had already been towed, and a nice lady had picked him up on the side of the road and given him a ride to her work (the Castle in Versailles, KY, about 30 minutes from where I live). He had been waiting there for a while now, unable to get a hold of anyone in the family, and was obviously frustrated. I didn't really want to go out there alone, so I called Ed to see if I could pick him up before I started heading out to get Andrew. He didn't answer my calls or texts. It was absolutely freezing outside, and snow was covering the ground, so it was slightly scary to drive, but Andrew had caught me in a good mood after the massage, so I started driving out to rescue my baby bro.
About 15 minutes later, Ed finally calls back and apologizes for not answering earlier. He had his phone on silent in his pocket, so he didn't know I had called. He was frustrated because he would have definitely driven out there with me, and he knew we wouldn't see each other for another hour or two now. We stayed on the line talking until I got to the castle, and I told him I needed to call Andrew to figure out exactly where to go. Andrew gave me directions to where he was, and asked me to park and come inside to see the place since we had driven by it a million times but never stopped there before.
I walked in the huge front doors expecting to see Andrew waiting right inside, but instead I was greeted by a concierge lady. "Are you Elisabeth?," she asked. "Your brother is right around the corner." It was at that moment that I realized what was going on. Everything clicked as I turned the corner to see Ed standing there in his nicest suit, holding a dozen roses and a little blue ring box. I screamed "I KNEW IT!", even though I had only known for 0.5 seconds. He hugged me, then immediately got down on his knee. He had a whole spiel that was incredibly sweet and romantic, then he asked me to be his wife. I was shaking so much from both shock and excitement that I could barely get out the answer. I managed to whisper "yes," and he put the ring on my finger and jumped up to hug and kiss me.
At this point I was still in shock, and I didn't even know how to react, except to say that I felt so stupid being in my grungy clothes and pig tails. It was the perfect set-up for him to explain that he had prepared for that and gotten a hotel room upstairs for me to shower and change into a dress that he had brought for me. We went upstairs to find chocolate covered strawberries and 2 glasses of champagne waiting for us. We celebrated up there in private, then I got ready and joined him downstairs for our 5 course dinner. We had a private room and chef for the evening. After the awesome meal, we packed up our stuff and headed over to my parent's house to share the good news with them.
It was a magical evening. I still can't believe he was able to pull it off so flawlessly. From the beautiful ring he picked out, to the surprise factor, to having my family involved, I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect. I can't wait to marry the man I love and spend the rest of my life with him. I am the luckiest girl in the world!!
