It was all supposed to go perfectly. A surprise birthday trip to the Dominican Republic. A picturesque resort. A sparkling engagement ring. A beautiful, and maybe not so unsuspecting, girlfriend. A week of sunny 80-degree weather and crystal-clear night skies filled with stars…
Upon arriving to our resort, we immediately went to the beach to soak in the sun. That’s when I spotted it. Jutting out into the teal Caribbean sea, there was the gazebo where I would ask her to marry me. I just had to find the perfect time. Not the first day, I told myself. We were just settling in and needed to get our bearings. Besides, the romantic tension needed to build slowly to that perfect moment. We’re here for 5 days, I have time…
On the second day, it rained all morning but the sun came out in the afternoon. I bet it will be like this every day I said to myself. We need to get out to explore and enjoy the afternoon. Lunch on the beach and out to dinner in town. Not today, the tension needs to build a little bit more.
On the third day, we went to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park. It was beautiful. I had thought about changing plans and proposing here but I really wanted to propose looking out into the ocean. Besides the weather started to change and it wasn’t as picturesque as I wanted it to be. Tomorrow it is!
When I woke up, I said this is it - this is the day I ask Jenna to be my wife. I was bummed when we opened the blinds and saw it was dark and rainy out. I’m sure it will clear up in the afternoon and it will be perfect like previous days… Wrong. It rained and was gloomy the entire day. We made the most of it by walking the beach, making sand castles and trying out some creative drinks.
Even though the weather wasn't ideal, I had decided this was the day… I wasn’t going to be deterred. It was getting dark so I asked Jenna to take a walk on the beach with me. I had the ring in my pocket and said let’s go out to the gazebo. As we approached, I noticed that there was a guy sitting on the gazebo playing on his cell phone in the dark. Not very romantic… ABORT. ABORT. Let’s go sit on the chairs on the beach instead. Maybe he’ll leave soon and I can still ask her on the gazebo. It seemed like forever but the guy finally left. Alright let’s try this again…
When we got out over the water I was nervous, but ready. “When you look out at the ocean what do you see?” Jenna: “I see a great unknown and endless possibilities” Me: “I agree, and I know that together you and I have what it takes to take on anything and build a life together. I love you.” I then got down on my knee and asked, “Will you marry me?”
This was how it was supposed to go. Instead, when I asked, “When you look out at the ocean what do you see?” her real answer was: “It looks kind’ve scary.” Not to be deterred, I replied: “Yeah, but don’t you see the great unknown and think you and I can handle anything together?” Jenna: “Not really, it just looks dark and creepy. We should watch some scary movies for Halloween when we get home” FAIL. Guess it’s going to have to be tomorrow…
The next day we signed up to do a cruise, but it was canceled due to inclement weather. We scrambled to set up another excursion with the hotel. They said they could get us on a cruise and that we could go snorkeling with sharks and sting rays. SHARKS?!?! Like one of my biggest fears, sharks? Yep. It was the only trip left so we decided to do it. Besides it was only nurse sharks, they’re harmless, right?
When we got back from the shark excursion (which was in fact a lot of fun) I knew it was time. I asked Jenna if she wanted to go for (yet) another walk on the beach. It was getting darker out and the rain was starting to pick up. I didn’t want to take the chance on someone being in the gazebo again, so when we reached the beach, I launched right into what I wanted to say. I looked into her eyes and started my proposal.
“You know that I love you and how much I care about you. Today you helped me face one of my biggest fears - sharks. Just like you helped me overcome that fear, I think you and I can handle anything as long as we're together.” This is when I got down on one knee and finally said, “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Jenna paused for a second, smiled and said, “Yes! Of course! I shakily stood up and helped her put the ring on her finger. She added happily "We’re going to be a family now.”
Shortly after there was the sound of thunder and she said, “that means I’m going to be a Stormberg!”
Yep. This is my future wife and I couldn’t be happier.
