Ryan's Proposal
It was September 11th, the one year anniversary of the day we met. Ryan told me to be ready and dressed up by 5:00 pm but he didn't tell me where we were going. Luckily, I had the urge to buy a new dress for the occasion so when he arrived I was ready to go!
We drove all the way down to Coronado, to the very southern tip of the island and into the parking lot of the Loews Coronado Resort. There on the marina was a little white building with little white tables and chairs and a red and white barber pole-style sign that said "Coronado Gondolas." It was so adorable!
Ryan checked in at the desk and they led us to our gondola on the water where the gondolier greeted us, dressed in the traditional Italian uniform with the striped shirt, white pants and the silly hat. There, inside the gondola were two dozen red roses, champagne and flukes, Italian antipasto, and several plaid blankets.
As naïve as I am, I assumed Ryan would not have gone to so much trouble for just an anniversary so I said to him, "Look! Somebody left their flowers in our boat!" Ryan smiled and said, "No, those are yours." (I found out later that Sean had driven all the way down to Coronado to bring the flowers and champagne. THANKS!)
The gondola ride was so romantic. We marveled at the wealthy houses on the canals and how we wanted one of our own someday. We sipped champagne and listened to Italian music. Apparently Ryan was extremely nervous and kept grabbing his pocket to make sure he still had the ring, but I never would have noticed. I was too enthralled with the free drinks and mozzarella cheese slices. Then, about a half hour into the ride, the gondolier asked if we wanted him to sing. Ryan said, "Yes, but I have a question to ask her first." He got down on one knee, opened the ring box, and asked me to marry him.
I started crying and, although I don't remember this, Ryan claimed I shouted "No! No!" a couple of times before I happily accepted his proposal and he put the ring on my finger. Then, right after I said yes, the gondolier began to sing to us in Italian. It was the kind of proposal you dream about as a little girl.
I spent the rest of the night showing my ring to everyone in passing boats, on the street, and later I showed our waitress at Azul Restaurant in La Jolla. Ryan thought it was funny, but it got us free champagne! Then, I made him take me to Vons at 11:00 o'clock at night so I could get the bridal magazines I'd waited 29 years to buy.
It was the happiest night of my life!