I had been planning this for a week and had given the event planner quite a headache. It was my Big Valentine’s Day surprise for Yvonne and I had asked the planner for the Loeb Boathouse, but in my excitement, I had forgotten that it was winter and the effect I was looking for, would not be possible. However, the planner did come up with a lovely, exquisite location and had set it according to my wishes. The invitations had been sent out and a lot of our friends had agreed to come. Still, it was a small event with just a few friends. The only doubt that I had in mind was if I was overdoing it.
I was supposed to pick Yvonne at 7 for our ‘date’ which I had promised her would be special and secretive. She had agreed to play along. The Limo picked me up at 6.30 pm and I was at Yvonne’s door by 7. As she opened the door, she seemed more than surprised to see me in a tux but decided to play along. But I; I was mesmerized at the sight of her, the blue, flowing cocktail dress, the hair tied up , that glowing face, she was dressed so perfectly for the occasion that for a moment I thought that my cover was blown. I later learned that it was Kaitlin who had coerced her into buying that dress. When she saw the Limo, she flashed me a look and I just smiled without any questions. That’s one of her great qualities, she can be real patient when you need her to be.
When we reached the venue, she finally asked what we were doing and I told her that she’d see for herself. I took her hand and guided her to the hall where the setup had been made. I approached the big ballroom door and pushed it open, it was quite dark inside and I took her in just as the lights came up and the music started to play, instead of “surprise…” there was a loud applause and she looked at me and all that I said was, “Welcome to your prom Yvonne”.
The planner had done a fantastic job and the ballroom was decorated just as a prom, even with a band. A waiter approached us with a corsage and boutonniere and we honored each other with the traditional ornament of the prom. I then took her for the first dance, to the tunes of her favorite song. Everyone slowly joined in and we thanked Daniel and Kaitlin for helping make this day so special for the both of us. But the special part of the night was still pending and I was already getting butterflies in my stomach.
After sometime of dancing and mingling with the guests, Daniel pulled me to the side and asked if I was having cold feet. I swallowed hard and told him that I was just nervous. He gave me some boost talk and handed me the ring box. So, now filled with confidence, I approached Yvonne and told her that I had one more surprise for her but she has to be blindfolded. She agreed and I tied the satin blindfold and slowly guided her to the place.
I took her into other room which was pure white and was adorned with nothing but loads and loads of beautiful Violets decorated immaculately. There was just one other type of flower in the room and that was the orchid that law on the center table. I positioned her in the room and took my position behind her, knee to the wooden floor.
I asked her to open the blindfold and saw that she couldn’t express herself on seeing the sheer beauty around her. She turned around to see me, one my knees, ring in hand. She couldn’t help it but shriek.
“You have brought nothing but peace, luck, life and happiness to me and I am ever so grateful to you for that. Now I want that with you for the rest of my life. Yvonne Reynolds, will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes. Definitely yes.”
Later…
“I swear to you Dan, I really think that orchid bloomed a bit when she said yes”.
