Frozen peaches and cream...: Our Engagement / David's Proposal -- Denise's side of the story :o)

I’m a tough person to surprise. My antenna goes up way ahead of most people. I can usually tell how a mystery novel or movie will end, and there’s a reason some friends call me CIA. So, for my loving fiancé, I sure made it tough for him to surprise me with a proposal of marriage. Anytime there was a special day or holiday coming up, he would plan something wonderful, but was sure I would be on to him. He was right. ;)

A week before the proposal, our mutual friend, Terra, visited the Paradise Ridge Winery and recommended it as a romantic place to go with David. The winery hosts “Wines and Sunsets” where folks enjoy a picnic, wine, the view, and occasionally live music on Wednesday nights. I suggested it to David via email, to which he nonchalantly agreed we should go the following Wednesday, September 29th. He jumped at the chance to propose that night knowing I initiated the suggestion and, as a result, probably wouldn't think he would do it then. Little did I know, he visited the winery ahead of time on a separate trip, and even scouted the area to make sure it was just the right spot to ask his most important question.

The 29th was a tough day for each of us, and so we couldn’t wait to see each other for our picnic that evening. I did wonder, briefly--maybe he’d ask me that night? David picked me up after bringing his boys to their hockey practice and we headed up the hill.

The winery has two floors of open seating on terraces overlooking the Russian River Valley, its vineyards and city below. There are also spectacular views from a more secluded patio beside the main building, which is where we sat.

We had our delicious picnic and wine, took in the view and talked with a sweet couple from New Orleans celebrating their 25th anniversary at the table next to us. As we started dessert, the sun was setting and David mentioned we’d have to leave soon to pick up his boys from hockey practice. I said okay, and thought inside, “No problem. I guess tonight isn’t the night just yet…he must have something else planned.”

Then, David excused himself, saying he would be right back. I saw him go up the stairs but didn’t see him on the terrace as I had before when he purchased the wine. Where did he go? Did he call the boys to say we’d be on our way shortly to pick them up at the rink? Did he go to the restroom?

David returned with two glasses of champagne. All I could think was, “Why does he have champagne?... Why does he have champagne?!” At first he joked that the bartender gave him the champagne gratis because he patiently waited earlier for the wine. I thought that was nice of the bartender, and it isn’t unusual for that to happen to David—he has a gift for making friends wherever he goes. Plus, we were about to finish our dessert, and champagne does go well with strawberries. It made sense to me that he’d have champagne…kinda…but why was David smiling at me like that?

Then he pulled out the little box and said coyly, “Also, I have this for you.”

It was right about here where everything became dreamlike. Everything and everyone around us grew quiet. I only saw and heard him. I had to look away for a few seconds; I was so overcome and amazed that this was happening. I think it was the realization that our engagement meant so much all at once. It was, and is, the culmination of years of self-exploration, and learning to hold true to myself and the woman I am, as well as the culmination of years of learning to communicate well and openly, and working hard toward a solid relationship. After years of personal sadness and pain, learning from my past, and promising myself to be patient, trusting that The One exists if I could just look a little more, here he was. This proposal was the reward for each of us, for the promises we kept for ourselves, and for each other.

I felt a peace wash over me and between us. I returned my gaze to him. He said he loved me very much and wanted to be with me always. He opened the box to display the ring and gently pushed it toward me on the table.

He got down on both his knees. In shorts. On gravel. (His action here is deeply significant to me. Suffice it to say, David reset my world in the most powerful way, and all for the better.) He took both my hands in his and asked if I would please marry him, to which I exclaimed, "Yes I will!" I kissed him, hugged him and cried. As we hugged, we heard the most beautiful cheers and applause erupt around us…because everyone in the place had been watching! When David got the wine, he mentioned to the staff that he would propose and asked if they had any champagne. The staff was delighted and asked if they could spread the word and clap, and David said yes. Between then and the proposal, the staff alerted everyone there that he was going to propose, and the whole time I had no idea we were being watched. People who didn’t even know us stood and applauded love.

This whole time I still hadn’t really looked at the ring. He’d opened the box for me to examine it, and while he was on bended knee I asked him to place it on my finger, and he did.

The ring is GORGEOUS and so very meaningful. It is a custom-made Van Craeynest, a company specializing in delicate jewelry made in the Old World European style of die-striking and chasing methods. Acanthus leaves sweep up the band and end with an orange blossom on either side of the center round diamond. In the center of each orange blossom is a small diamond, one for each of his boys! Acanthus leaves signify Enduring Life, and the orange blossoms signify Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness. (I love the scent of orange blossoms—I have two dwarf orange trees on my porch. One of them has fruit growing now, and the other is blooming again!)

As we left the winery, we passed a sign on the wall that said "Welcome to Paradise" that was, of course, an appropriate reference to the name of the winery, as well as our special moment together. Strangers congratulated us and wished us a happy life together. I felt so honored to be walking out on David's arm.

We picked up the boys at the rink and told them the great news! We all hugged and celebrated. They knew David was going to ask me and kept it a secret for so long! I'm very proud of them for keeping such a big secret, and look forward to being their stepmom!

I love you, David, and am so grateful for such a classy and loving proposal. Thank you for all your love and support, and making this such a special day for us to remember. You are my one and only. I look forward to being your wife and loving you always.

The wedding date hasn't been set yet. The coming year will be a busy one for us both and so we’ll discuss our plans soon. We are very happy to savor our engagement and share in this special time with our loved ones!