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:: page 40 :: The Proposal (cont.) "Amy Michelle Holzer, you are one in a million. I love your zest for life, your love of God, your crazy sense of humor. I have never met anyone else who can make me laugh like you do. I want to spend every waking moment with you. I want to share every detail of my life with you." Amy's tears began to flow once again. I was touched that she was touched. "You are my biggest cheerleader. I know that no matter how difficult a given personal or professional challenge might be, that you believe in me, that you're confident that I can accomplish all things through Christ who strengthens me. With you by my side, I feel like I can take any slings or arrows the world might throw at me." The more I thought about that issue in particular, the more Amy seemed to be not just a good match, but the perfect match. In light of my controversial positions on the radio, that's pretty important. "When my parents indicated to me how important that one quality was in a wife -- the quality of being a cheerleader -- I didn't have another moment's hesitation that you were my Eve, created by God just for me. "I think we have both rightly come to the conclusion that with each other, we are no longer living as amputees. It just took me slightly longer to figure it out. With you in my life, I feel like I can walk again. Amy, would you make me the happiest man on planet earth and agree to be my bride and to be the mother of my children?" "Yes, yes, YES!" she yelled out with enthusiasm. That took me by surprise. I was ready for a "yes", but three times over seemed triple-affirming somehow. I slipped the solitaire, cathedral-cross mounted diamond ring on her finger which we had selected nearly a month before. That day I had purchased a magnifying glass so that she could easily read the inscription, which was the one true surprise element in terms of the ring. I got off my knee, slid back into the booth and we kissed. I whispered in her ear, "I love you." "I love you too. Adam, I want to honor and respect you and be faithful to you all the days of my life," she said. And now it was her turn to truly surprise me. "I would like to counter propose." You must admit we have a very different relationship. I love the dynamic between us. "In keeping with the Jewish tradition which Rob Vetter mentioned at Will and Glenna's wedding," she continued, "the man gets an engagement ring too. So, as a token of my love and commitment to you, would you accept this ring?" "What? You're counter proposing?" I asked, with a stunned expression on my face. "Come on McManus. Is that a yes or a no?" "It's a yes. I accept," as I grinned broadly, shaking my head in amazement. And she slipped my engagement ring on my finger, a declaration to the world that my heart was already taken by a very special woman. I love that Jewish tradition. And I think it would be neat to see more Americans embrace it. After all, why should the woman be the only one declaring to the world that she is forsaking all others at the point of the engagement? Johnny Polk, the T Bar M Camp Director, who had been waiting in the shadows -- giving us some privacy during the actual proposal -- approached our table to congratulate us. "Well Amy, you sound like you've been waiting for Adam to put this ring on your finger for some time now. That was quite the affirmation." "All I can say is, 'It's about time brother!'" "Johnny, would you do us the honor of being the first to pray over our future marriage?" I asked. "It would be an honor." Johnny extended one hand to each one of our shoulders. "Dear Jesus, You have brought this man and this woman together in your divine timing. It is my prayer that their ministry might have an eternal impact on many of the people who cross their path. May they exhibit your qualities of selflessness, love and a commitment to truth throughout their days. Amen." "Amen," we both repeated. After we had dessert, we took a group picture with Larry the limo driver, the chef, the waitress and with Johnny. As we were being whisked back to San Antonio, I lay down along the seat with my head on Amy's lap, looking up at my bride-to-be as the streetlights passed by one by one. She ran her fingers through my hair, gently massaging my scalp. I was a very content man indeed. I wasn't sure life could get any better than this. That is, save for the honeymoon, I suppose. I didn't want the evening to end. I sat up, lowered the privacy divider between us and our driver, "Larry, could you take us to La Scala Restaurant on Northwest Military Highway." "Yes sir." "Thank you," I responded, raising the divider once again. Amy and I had spent a very memorable New Year's Eve at La Scala. It's a wonderful restaurant. Beautiful white Christmas lights wrap around the tree trunks year-round outside. They're known for their excellent service with attention to detail and well-prepared, upscale food which is as appetizing to the eyes as to the palette. By the time we got there, most of the Valentine's Day crowd had dispersed. There were several people sitting at the bar. No one was dancing. Providentially, the next song the four-piece band played was "Going to the Chapel." Our eyes widened and we smiled. We couldn't believe it. So, even though I'm not much of a dancer, I led her to the dance floor. I handed one of the patrons my disposable camera to take a couple of pictures. For us, tonight was an historic night, and I wanted to relish it for years to come. In fact, the primary picture on the top right corner of this website is the very one that was taken at that moment. Can you see some of the red letters in the "Valentine's Day" banner behind us? I pulled Amy close. I nuzzled her neck with my lips, kissing her several times. I inhaled her sweet smelling perfume as I wrapped my arms around her waist. "I cannot wait for you to be my wife," I whispered in her ear. After the song concluded, I walked up to the band, still holding Amy's hand, and said, "That was the perfect selection for us. I just proposed tonight. We're going to the chapel and we can't wait to get married." "Congratulations!" said the band leader. Pulling the microphone to his mouth, he announced, "Ladies and gentleman, this lovely couple just got engaged tonight. Let's wish them well."
The few that were there offered a smattering of applause. Index :: Previous |
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