My Good Fortune

Did y'all hear about this?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30011573/?GT1=43001

I read the article and thought about what a great story that would be to share with future children. And so, I thought I would share my engagement story with all of you (and for posterity)!

When Brandon I were dating, he was attending UVSC in Orem, Utah and living in an off-campus apartment with about 5 other guys. Their apartment was a total, utter disaster. The dishes in the sink were usually giving off a stench that said, "Wash me please! I've been in here for two weeks!" The dirty laundry on the floor told basically the same story. You get the idea.

Brandon and I had talked about marriage, but we weren't officially bethrothed. One of his roommates, Johnathan, was a quirky guy who liked to walk around the apartment practically naked except for a sock and cape. (That's another, very disturbing, story.) So when he told me that he wanted to cook a fancy Chinese dinner for Brandon and me, I wasn't too surprised. (After I saw him in the sock/cape getup, nothing could of surprised me about him.)

We set a date, and even decided to dress up for the occasion. On the evening of the dinner, Brandon drove to Sandy to pick me up and we drove back to Orem. I began to suspect that something was up. Here we were, both dressed up, planning to get married yet no ring yet...hmmmm. Could this be it, I wondered?

We got to the apartment and when we walked in, I was stunned. The place was sparkling clean. There was a fire going, music playing, and a beautiful table set with china and candles. Chinese food was simmering on the stove. No one else was around (fortunately, Naked Cape Man was just a set up). I immediately knew that yes, this was going to be it!


Our engagement photo, circa 2000-We look like babies!

We proceeded to sit down and eat the food (which had been purchased from a restaurant and dumped into pans), chattering nervously the whole time. At the end of the meal, Brandon asked me, "Aren't you going to eat your fortune cookie?"

I opened it, and inside the message read, "Will you marry me?" Brandon dropped down on one knee, professed his undying love, and pulled out a little black box with the most beautiful, diamond solitaire ring I had ever seen. Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!


One sad note: I didn't know it at the time, but Brandon's roommates had rigged up a video camera that was shooting in the corner the whole dinner and caught the whole proposal on tape. It even (embarassingly) included some post-proposal kissing, cuddling, and cooing. I was actually thrilled to have the tape to keep for all time and loved to watch it! Shortly after the engagement, I loaned it to my cousin who lived in the apartment next door. She returned it to the guy's apartment one day when Brandon was gone and it hasn' t been seen since! I think Brandon was secretly relieved to have proof of his lovey-dovey side disappear, but I feel remorse whenever I think about it.


I love proposals, and I cry each time I witness one on television, but I thought my proposal was perfect. I still smile whenever I see a fortune cookie!