I’m a New England Yankee, and immensely practical by nature. My husband, on the other hand, is a true Romantic, and has fortunately passed that trait on to our sons. So let me tell you the big romantic family news, hot off the press: Yesterday (April 30), our oldest son, Christopher, got engaged! When I tell you about the details of his “Proposal”, I think Hollywood is going to want ‘Movie Rights’; it was that romantically dramatic! Of course, he’s had more than a year to plan every single little detail, and believe me, it was one of those perfect proposals for the history books … the stuff of which fairy tales are made. I’ll start by telling you that from the time he was a little boy, Chris has always done things in a ‘BIG WAY’ … (and for those of you who know him personally, that’s putting it rather mildly!). This trait has followed him through adulthood … he’s now almost 24, and his ideas and ways of expressing himself have grown right along with him. To give you an example, last year Chris bought his girlfriend Elizabeth 2 dozen 6-FOOT-long stemmed roses for Valentine’s Day!!! Does that tell you anything about how head over heels in love he is with this wonderful young woman (and how much he wanted to impress her?!). I’m told that after pulling that stunt, every guy on campus hated him, as all the girls used it as a benchmark for the ultimate gift bouquet from then on!!
Chris met Elizabeth years ago when we all lived in New York State. They originally met at a Civil Air Patrol encampment, and were ‘just friends’ … mere acquaintances, actually. But shortly after we moved to NH, they started corresponding, and eventually she came to visit us. They enjoyed each other’s company immensely, and it soon became obvious that there was the possibility of something ‘more’ developing over time. And it certainly did! Chris has sent her so many texts and emails since then that he has developed acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Last year Chris told us of his intentions to marry Elizabeth and asked Dana and I for our blessings, which we were all too happy to give. Elizabeth is the kind of girl that every parent dreams and prays to marry their son. She is going into her senior year studying Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh on a full scholarship, and has maintained a 4.0 average throughout. She is cute, sweet, funny, happy, very smart … everything we could ever hope for in a wife for Chris. After we gave him our approval and the green light, he shortly thereafter flew out to Buffalo to ask her dad’s permission for her hand in marriage, even though he wasn’t quite prepared to ask HER yet for another year. Last Christmas he asked us for a Purity Ring, a symbol he said, of pledging himself to purity until marriage. (Little did he know that for a request like that, I would have happily bought him the whole jewelry store!!). The past year has been spent planning last night’s proposal, and believe me, nothing was overlooked. The Big Proposal took place at Glen Ellis Falls, that gorgeous 65’ waterfall about 10 minutes north of The Lodge. The day was perfect, though only two days before we had a freaky spring snowstorm that left up to 2’ of snow in the area. (As nightfall came, so did the winds and an acute temperature drop, but one barely notices such things when one is in love!). At the falls there are dozens of stone steps that parallel the Ellis River, leading to a scenic lookout along the way, and a flat area at the bottom where there is a deep mountain pool. In a word, it is a FANTASTICALLY beautiful place. Chris orchestrated the event with great precision, giving everyone in the family a written ‘script’ with ‘times’ and ‘details’ of how they were to help him pull off the evening. The stone steps were lined with candles, there were flowers bows and ribbons decorating special spots. My husband was placed at the very top near the road with a “Shhh… Proposal in Progress” sign to politely discourage onlookers and ‘intruders’ at this very public place (that under normal circumstances we tell everyone they absolutely MUST visit!). Josh, Zia and her friend Keara, who is visiting us from Colorado, set up a table at the bottom, with a tablecloth, silver, china, candles, flowers, champagne. It’s a good thing I didn’t know until this morning that he took my great-grandmother’s good crystal glasses, china and real silver … but that’s another story, best left so as not to tarnish the memories of this beautiful day. Zia (who is a chef at the Thompson House Eatery), created a delicious homemade dinner, which they then served to the happy couple. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. Chris proposed before dinner, halfway down the descent at the overlook. It was a stupendously tender moment … and she said YES (Thank GOD!!! None of us had ever considered the alternative!). At this point my kids were all hidden in the woods at various inconspicuous places with cameras, taking photos to immortalize the event for posterity. Specifically chosen music was playing softly from small speakers hooked up to an iPod. Dinner was served with great flair near the waterfall ‘dining room’ by our younger family members, who afterwards made themselves scarce while Chris and Elizabeth kissed, danced to the music, the falls crashing melodically in the background. As evening fell and the stars came out, they drank champagne and nibbled on a selection of decadent desserts before he drove his Cinderella(at this point, now cold and shivering) home from the ball … And after they left, all my little elves cleaned everything up with nary a trace left behind!! When they returned, I don’t know what sparkled more: Chris and Elizabeth’s eyes, or that absolutely beautiful diamond engagement ring on her finger! Her words to Dana and me, as she hugged us last evening: “Well, I hope you like me, because now I’m yours too, for the rest of your lives!” That was the most beautiful music to our ears and hearts of the whole lavish affair. We love you, too, Elizabeth! Great job, Chris!
Chris met Elizabeth years ago when we all lived in New York State. They originally met at a Civil Air Patrol encampment, and were ‘just friends’ … mere acquaintances, actually. But shortly after we moved to NH, they started corresponding, and eventually she came to visit us. They enjoyed each other’s company immensely, and it soon became obvious that there was the possibility of something ‘more’ developing over time. And it certainly did! Chris has sent her so many texts and emails since then that he has developed acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Last year Chris told us of his intentions to marry Elizabeth and asked Dana and I for our blessings, which we were all too happy to give. Elizabeth is the kind of girl that every parent dreams and prays to marry their son. She is going into her senior year studying Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh on a full scholarship, and has maintained a 4.0 average throughout. She is cute, sweet, funny, happy, very smart … everything we could ever hope for in a wife for Chris. After we gave him our approval and the green light, he shortly thereafter flew out to Buffalo to ask her dad’s permission for her hand in marriage, even though he wasn’t quite prepared to ask HER yet for another year. Last Christmas he asked us for a Purity Ring, a symbol he said, of pledging himself to purity until marriage. (Little did he know that for a request like that, I would have happily bought him the whole jewelry store!!). The past year has been spent planning last night’s proposal, and believe me, nothing was overlooked. The Big Proposal took place at Glen Ellis Falls, that gorgeous 65’ waterfall about 10 minutes north of The Lodge. The day was perfect, though only two days before we had a freaky spring snowstorm that left up to 2’ of snow in the area. (As nightfall came, so did the winds and an acute temperature drop, but one barely notices such things when one is in love!). At the falls there are dozens of stone steps that parallel the Ellis River, leading to a scenic lookout along the way, and a flat area at the bottom where there is a deep mountain pool. In a word, it is a FANTASTICALLY beautiful place. Chris orchestrated the event with great precision, giving everyone in the family a written ‘script’ with ‘times’ and ‘details’ of how they were to help him pull off the evening. The stone steps were lined with candles, there were flowers bows and ribbons decorating special spots. My husband was placed at the very top near the road with a “Shhh… Proposal in Progress” sign to politely discourage onlookers and ‘intruders’ at this very public place (that under normal circumstances we tell everyone they absolutely MUST visit!). Josh, Zia and her friend Keara, who is visiting us from Colorado, set up a table at the bottom, with a tablecloth, silver, china, candles, flowers, champagne. It’s a good thing I didn’t know until this morning that he took my great-grandmother’s good crystal glasses, china and real silver … but that’s another story, best left so as not to tarnish the memories of this beautiful day. Zia (who is a chef at the Thompson House Eatery), created a delicious homemade dinner, which they then served to the happy couple. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. Chris proposed before dinner, halfway down the descent at the overlook. It was a stupendously tender moment … and she said YES (Thank GOD!!! None of us had ever considered the alternative!). At this point my kids were all hidden in the woods at various inconspicuous places with cameras, taking photos to immortalize the event for posterity. Specifically chosen music was playing softly from small speakers hooked up to an iPod. Dinner was served with great flair near the waterfall ‘dining room’ by our younger family members, who afterwards made themselves scarce while Chris and Elizabeth kissed, danced to the music, the falls crashing melodically in the background. As evening fell and the stars came out, they drank champagne and nibbled on a selection of decadent desserts before he drove his Cinderella(at this point, now cold and shivering) home from the ball … And after they left, all my little elves cleaned everything up with nary a trace left behind!! When they returned, I don’t know what sparkled more: Chris and Elizabeth’s eyes, or that absolutely beautiful diamond engagement ring on her finger! Her words to Dana and me, as she hugged us last evening: “Well, I hope you like me, because now I’m yours too, for the rest of your lives!” That was the most beautiful music to our ears and hearts of the whole lavish affair. We love you, too, Elizabeth! Great job, Chris!
I love this blog. I could picture the whole scene while I was reading this and I certainly felt like I was the one hiding in the woods taking pictures. Your writing is the best, Cathi! Congratulations to Christopher and Elizabeth! I know you will have a wonderful and exciting life together!!
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