Jill’s Story (posted on Facebook on May 4, 2008):
Getting engaged was the last thing that I expected to take place on Friday evening, but that’s exactly what happened and I couldn’t be happier!
Joe asked me to marry him as we were walking along Riverside Park Friday evening. I was carrying a 12-pack of Quilted Northern and thought that he was joking when he dropped to one knee claiming he had to tie his shoe. For those of you who watch The Office Joe has pulled the Jim move of “tying his shoe” only to fake me out before. So I really thought he was joking again! Little did I know that the whole evening was part of an intricate plan he conceived when he bought the ring, the day before.
To start at the beginning, I was actually having kind of a crummy day. I was working from home because I had a massive headache and work was kicking my butt. To cheer me up, Joe suggested that we hit up Pinkberry, my favorite frozen yogurt place down the street. We planned to grab a quick dinner, then grab some yogurt to-go so that we could come home and veg out for the rest of the evening. Or at least, so I thought.
Although I normally only work until 5pm or so on Fridays, I was feeling really behind and just couldn’t shut down my computer. I thought it was a little odd that Joe was showered, dressed, and ready to go by 6pm – totally out of character for him. I’m usually the one waiting on him, so I didn’t really feel an ounce guilty when I was running late.
I found out later that he was in a rush because he was trying to time our walk back to the apartment to coincide with the sunset. Whoops!
We eventually got moving and had a nice dinner at a favorite BBQ place. After dinner I suggested we walk a few blocks out of the way to check out a hotel that a friend of mine is staying at in June. I wanted to make sure that it was a flea-bag hotel. I had no idea that I was de-railing Joe’s master plan! He was reluctant to go, but I told him that it’d be good to get the exercise and he eventually gave in. We went to the hotel and checked the whole place out – we even inspected a room to make sure it was adequate. By this time the sunset idea was LONG gone, so Joe decided he’d better just go with the flow otherwise I might suspect he was up to something.
On the way back home I distracted us again by insisting that we stop for toilet paper at Rite Aid. (In my defense, we were down to only 1 roll!) Joe started to think that I was intentionally derailing the plan, but honestly I had no idea!
After getting the toilet paper and the Pinkberry, Joe suggested that we walk up along Riverside Park on the way home. I protested a bit complaining that it would be cold and scary because it was dark. (I could kick myself now!) Desperate to salvage his plan, Joe just started walking in that direction and hoped that I would follow – which I did, thank god!
And it was beautiful. The lights along the path illuminated the fog, and the night was cool and smelled fresh like spring. But when Joe stopped to tie his shoe, I thought he was merely taking advantage of the romantic setting to fake me out. He asked me to hold the bag of Pinkberry while he knelt down (but I clearly saw that his shoelace was perfectly tied). Then he asked me to hand him a napkin, saying that he stepped in ice cream along the walk back. I thought he was serious at that point because I did see him step in some ice cream on the sidewalk a few blocks back. So I reached into the Pinkberry bag and pulled out the first napkin I could grab, but it felt funny in my hands – thicker than it should have felt – so I opened it up to find a slip of paper glued to the napkin. It said:
“Jill Marie Okawa: You make me happier than anything in the world. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
At that point I started to wonder if he was serious. If not, it would have been a pretty elaborate joke! I started to get excited and, as Joe explains it, starting jumping around and smiling. I saw him open up that perfect little black velvet box and inside saw the ring we’d look at together only 5 days earlier. He asked me, “Jill Marie Okawa, will you marry me?” I dropped to my knees, set down my toilet paper, and started crying and hugging him. I guess in the middle of all the excitement I forgot to say ‘yes’ but said it about 10 times after he reminded me that he needed an answer. And then he said, “Man, you have NO IDEA what you’ve put me through tonight!” and proceeded to tell me tall he details of his plan and how far I sent us off track! He told me that he’d prepared the napkin with the note on it at home and slipped it into the Pinkberry bag when I wasn’t looking. He said, “You really made me work for it!”
So that’s pretty much the bulk of the story! I feel like the luckiest woman on the planet.
Joe’s Story (posted on Facebook on May 21, 2008):
Here’s my version of how my proposal to Jill came to be – mostly for memory for when we’re old & gray (will Facebook still be around?). Jill’s version, a must read, tells it all, but here are some highlights from my perspective. I’ll count the potential derailments, at least in my mind, that heightened anxiety along the way.
I knew I would propose in the next few months, but I figured towards the end of summer – you know, what’s the hurry? Besides, I had to learn the 4 C’s, find a good ring, and think of some intricate proposal scenario. Then things started to accelerate. Jill and I went ring shopping and picked out the perfect ring. Suddenly, the pieces were falling into place.
Potential derailments, of course
Once I came up with my plan, I got really excited and all of a sudden couldn’t wait to propose. I bought the ring the next day and scoped out the scene: Pinkberry and the walk back along the park. What a high! I walked home hoping I could do it that night. But when I got home, Jill had a headache. I asked if some fresh air and Pinkberry might help, but “no” – turning down Pinkberry was a clear sign she was not feeling well, so the time was not right. Potential Derailment #1 (PD#1). My wait continued.
The next morning I awoke all revved up because it was the day Jill would become my fiancée. Whoa. She worked from home that day, which would add flexibility to my plan. But it also meant I had to hide my excitement all day. I was walking floating around the house on cloud nine all day and had to keep calming myself down so she wouldn’t think something was up.
Napkin making 101
Late afternoon, I asked her, “Any plans for tonight?” I knew she didn’t. All nonchalant I said, “I got an idea. How about some BBQ at Rack & Soul and then Pinkberry on the way back?” She reluctantly said “ok” (I’m not sure why). PD#2. So, I had to be ready for anything.
I prepared my 2 props – the ring, and the much less expensive pre-proposal note. I made a few versions, but settled on a printed note glued to the inside of a napkin. It was the perfect thickness to look normal from the outside when folded, but thick enough to feel weird & possibly open up when grabbed.
Sundown was at 7:55pm that night, so I needed to work backwards so the sun was setting across the Hudson overlooking Riverside Park on our way back. If we left at 6pm, it’d work. No problem, Jill never works past 5pm on a Friday. Shower and go. So I took mine, then suggested she take hers… but she was still working! What?! Stupid PDF not working. PD#3. I was ready, she wasn’t. This never happens. I was worried that would tip her off. Already nervous, this made it worse.
Toilet paper in hand
Eventually I had to give up on the sunset. Oh well. Not a huge part of the plan. We set off for Rack & Soul. En route she says she needs to check out a hotel 10 blocks out of our way on the way back. PD#4. I tried protesting, but relented to avoid signaling something was up. Roll with the punches.
Passing a Ben & Jerry’s after dinner, “oh look, a 99 cent special.” Afraid she wanted to go there instead of Pinkberry, I quickly say, “cool, next time.” PD#5. Moving on.
After touring the hotel (even a room for god’s sake), she says, “we need toilet paper.” PD#6. Now keep in mind, my nervous level has been on Elevated for much longer than expected. I put up a little fight, but again give in. After Rite Aid, oh, she needs some cash. Stop at Commerce Bank. PD#7. By this time, I’m like, whatever.
My smooth move
We arrive at Pinkberry. The first sneaky part of the night. We order. Luckily, she sits and waits. While she’s not looking, I position the napkin perfectly inside the bag – above the BBQ leftovers and anchoring it with the Pinkberry so it stays on top. The stage is set.
Now I’m really nervous – I need to suggest the walk along the park, to which she could very easily say “no”. I had a back up, but didn’t want to go that route.
Joe: “Hey, let’s take the scenic route and walk along Riverside Park.”
Jill: “Noooooo, it’s cold. It’s dark. It’s dangerous. I don’t wanna.” PD#8
Joe: “Naw, it’s fine. Come on.” In my mind, “is she trying to derail this?”
I start walking, hoping she follows. After a few steps, I look back and she’s still standing there… and begins to follow. Woo-hoo!
Shoelace tricks
From here on, it all goes according to plan. We walk along the misty, illuminated park. Stomach in knots, I kneel down, as I’ve done before, pretending my shoelace is untied. I know she’s thinking I’m goofing again. Promptly, “Can you hand me a napkin? I got some ice cream on my shoe.”
As she digs in the bag, I dig in my pocket for the ring. I look at her face, and she’s got this confused look reading the napkin. I open the box. Her eyes raise. “Jill Marie Okawa, will you marry me?” It finally hits her! She starts shaking in mini-jumping jack fashion, drops to her knees, and gives me a great big hug.
Through all the emotion, I didn’t hear a “Yes”, so I mentioned that. “Yes, Yes, Yes!” And the rest is history. =)
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