January 12, 2005

Today is a special day.  Actually to be honest, I'm not the kind of person that celebrates all these random types of anniversaries.  But I remember the dates for sure so I feel like reminiscing.

Five years ago today I was working as an admin assistant at a company in Hartford.  Saying I hated my job is putting it mildly.  I despised it.  In fact, I used to find myself contemplating driving into a tree on my way to work every morning rather than step into that office again.  I know, real nice.  The people were nice but it was the work.  It was the same old crap every day.  I. Hated. It.

So this one particular Wednesday, January 12, I was actually excited to go to work because that night I was going down to Jared's cottage for dinner with some friends.  Jared lived an hour from me so I was looking forward to seeing him on this special weeknight because usually I only saw him on weekends.  After work, I scooted down to the shore to hop in his car off to friends for dinner.  I got in the car and Jared began putting bags in the back seat, me not paying attention to anything.

I knew where this friend lived so when Jared took a turn down a dead end road, I began to get suspicious.  I had been down here before.  I knew other friends of his lived here and I also knew that all the way at the end was a little beach and a river bank.

When we passed the friends house and kept going, I asked him where we were going.  He said he had to drop something off, then it was he had to show me something.  I got this tingly feeling understanding right away what was happening.  He drove the car all the way up to the beach and he asked me to get out.  My feet hit the hard sand and the waves were slowly lapping a few feet in front of us.  He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the waves.  He looked up at the stars and was disappointed.  He knew how much I loved the stars and had planned to look at the stars with me. However it was overcast.  He apologized for the clouds and grabbed my hands.  Jared nervously began spewing out all these romantic things.  He told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.  Then due to the mud on the ground, kept standing while he pulled out a small box and asked me to marry him.

I jumped up on him almost making him drop the box screaming yes.  We hugged and kissed and he asked me if I wanted to see the ring.  Of course I had totally forgot.  He put the modest ring on my finger while apologizing that it was all he could afford at the time but eventually he would get me a better one.  I loved that ring and still do.  I never want an upgrade for sure.

I was so ecstatic as we drove to friends to celebrate.  When we arrived they had champagne waiting and balloons and flowers.  We had a great meal and were so happy.  It was a great night, January 12, 2005.

I"ll never forget that day when Jared proposed.  He was so nervous but confident.  I knew what was coming the whole time but excitedly listened to him show me his love.

The next day I was happy to go to work to tell everyone!  I can't believe it's been 5 years since that wonderful night.