July 27th was our one year anniversary and we had an incredible evening. It was
pouring, but we still met outdoors in the Sculpture Garden for live jazz and a
glass wine. Huddled under one umbrella we chatted and laughed, impervious to the
weather. We raced to dinner at a new Bistro Jen had been begging me to take her
to and it was magnificent. From the sommelier who poured tasting glasses of wine
so Jen could choose her favourite, to the whimsical take on food, Central proved
to be a dining experience we both enjoyed tremendously. After dinner, the rain
had let up a bit and Jen asked if we could walk by the monuments, she suspected
that I was going to propose that evening, but wanting to surprise her, I didn't.
I claimed tiredness and asked for a rain check.
The next day, we set out
for Assateague Island to go camping. Normally a short 3 hour drive, accidents
abounded and 7 hours, a picnic lunch, and many silly songs later we arrived in
time to set-up camp and fly a kite in the fading daylight. We were concerned
about the weather, having chased lightning the entire drive, but the evening
proved beautiful. We drank a special bottle of wine from Marty's wedding,
roasted kielbasa over the open fire and toasted our future.
After
dinner, we went for a walk on the beach. We walked for a long time chatting
about everything and nothing. The sky had cleared and was filled with millions
of stars and a brilliant moon. While gazing over the ocean, Jen pointed out the
moonbeams dancing on the waves. I offered to get them for her and raced into the
surf to scoop them up. I came back on both knees, water and the ring pooled in
my hand and offered Jen the moon and stars and asked her to be my wife. Jen said
yes and I couldn't be happier or more excited for our shared life together.
