the proposal

This conversation took place 12 years ago today:

Him: What do we do?
Me: I don't know.
Him: But I miss you.
Me: I know. I miss you too.
Him: What do we do?
Me: I don't know.
Him: Let's get married. (laugh)
Me: Ok. (laugh)
Him: I'm being serious.
Me: I know. I was being serious too.
Him: Will you marry me?
Me: Of course! Yes!
A moment of stunned silence. Gleeful laughter.

And that was that. I was in my college dorm room. He was at work, overseas and 2300 miles away. It was one of the many conversations we had that I talked a bit about here.

I flew down there a month and a half later (during my spring break) and we got married by a judge, in a ceremony that didn't last more than 10 minutes. We were rushing to start his visa paperwork because some new laws were going to take effect that would've made the whole process take much longer. Our church wedding was in August of the same year. Kind of crazy, but it worked!

• • •

Activities here have come to a grinding halt because we've all been sick. No flu (thank goodness) but a terrible case of allergies, which lead to sinus infections, which lead to fevers, which lead to restless nights, etc. It's been crazy. Mr. Z is home today and in bed. Fun times.

21 comments:

  1. lovely story patricia. thanks for sharing.

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  2. Aw wonderful story. Congratulations and I hope all are feeling better soon.

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  3. Fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. Sometimes the best things in life are the things you know you just have to do. No planning, no over-thinking, just go-with-your-gut moments.

    ;)

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  4. Oh definitely! I friend of mine asked me once (when she was still single) - how do you know he's the one? I told her that my reply was going to seem vague but it simple was "you just know". After she got married she told me that I was right. She just knew he was the one.

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  5. Simple, sweet and with certainty. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I've been married for almost 14 yrs and we were long distance for many years prior. Funny to think about it all pre-internet, pre-cell phone, etc. How long distance relationships have changed since we had them, huh? Kids today, I tell you they have it easy! :)

    Thanks for the sweet story!

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  7. oh i love it! great tale!
    yay love!
    and hope you're all better soon!

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  8. so, so sweet. i love it.

    xo
    kelly

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  9. We had a similar conversation... short, unexpected, and sweet.... and we married 7 weeks later. :-)

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  10. That is SO sweet! Stories like this are my favorite part of the holiday!

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  11. I hope the sinus infections clear up quickly.

    Long distance relationships are hard, aren't they? I'm glad it worked out well for you.

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  12. Happy Anniversary! What sweet, fond memories.

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  13. i love your story.
    you do "just know".
    amazing how that works.
    happy, happy anniversary to you both.
    hope everyone is on the mend real soon.
    x
    collette

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  14. I find these spontaneous things having more character than big complicated and too-planned marriages. Especially when they really last.

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  15. Life is beautiful, isn´t it?

    (it´s specially good to read these lines after watching the news, where the words "economic downturn" were repeated about 327 times!)

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  16. thanks for sharing your story! I've been checking in on your blog from time to time - I too love paper. But I also love paint. :) I'm so pleased to see you'll be coming out with your first book! congrats! With your permission, I'd love to add you to my family's art blog's list of favorite artists links. http://thingswithwingsartjournal.blogspot.com

    If you like, you are more than welcome to do the same! thanks and have a great day!

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