What is more telling of a true gentleman
than with a lady by his side? October 8, 2010 I laid eyes on my lady for the
first time and we have been together since. October 8, 2012, was our
second anniversary and we made a whole weekend out of it. Saturday we went
antiquing, a concert put on by some of my best friends ever, and then we
relived our first date at belvedere plantation.
Here is where you can do a corn maze, watch pig races, swing from the rafters in the barn, pick flowers, zip line, eat good food and drink cider and a hay ride to pick pumpkins! We had a blast gathering up a car full of pumpkins for painting and carving. One of mine will be a Washington Nationals pumpkin. Sunday we went to church and watched the Nats game one of the playoffs before going to my financial peace class. Monday, our anniversary day, has been in the works for quite some time, months at that.
It first started when I went golfing with her father. I then asked him for his blessings for her and I to get married. He agreed and then we both later met again to have a more on depth conversation. Men, this is key for the woman in your life. It brings the family together and shows that you care about her.
Before our second meeting however I had picked out and purchased an antique ring with wedding band along with a vintage Art Deco ring box, ready to go with two slots even!
Before our second meeting however I had picked out and purchased an antique ring with wedding band along with a vintage Art Deco ring box, ready to go with two slots even!
Now how do I
propose? When? Where? Apple picking or at Belvedere? None of those things
worked out because we had plans to go there at other times and I decided that I
wanted to keep it October 8th. As many of you know, I have a vintage bike
collection and decided on a vintage bike ride picnic. Problem being she didn't
have a vintage bike. So begins my search.
Finally
found a sweet 1961 Shelby AMF women's bike from Richmond. The guy inherited 300
plus vintage bikes from his father who had past and he is tuning them up to
sell. These were all garage kept and he only replaced the tires and tubes on
them. The bike is in great vintage shape with the patina that you want. It had
a fenderlite also, which is desirable. I met him at Bass Pro Shop in Ashland to
pick it up and fell in love. The crank even had stars on it. Everything was
there on the bike all original. So cool.
The fenderlite
needed some work so I tried a few options to get it to work as an all original
piece but no luck so I built an LED system in its place. Works awesome and
brighter than it would have been anyways.
I collected
vintage picnic items that I had, my mom had, and my grandmother had. Found an
outfit and hired a friend photographer to capture each moment for me. Also
wrote a song to play for my bride to be. But the coolest thing out of this
whole plan was the cap.
The Snapple
fact cap that is. My sweety is a teacher and we love Snapple Diet Peach tea and
she uses a cap each day at her school for the students to put on the board. So
I contacted Snapple with the idea of a custom fact cap for the engagement. They
loved the idea and made me one for free. It says "She said yes
10/08/12". So awesome!!!!
The day has
come. We wake up and get ready, I direct her to get the bike pump out of the
middle shed at the house and she completely misses her bicycle surprise. I tell
her to go back in and try again. This time she realized the bike and that it
was her own.
After the
bikes are loaded with our picnicking goodies we pedal to the birthplace, George
Washington’s Birthplace. This is a few miles from my house, my usual bike ride
to the beach area. When we arrive, we set up in the place I had planned it to
be at, luckily no one was there on account of the slight drizzle from above and
the chilly air. There was a certain couple there with their adorable child
taking pictures nearby…. ;)
The blanket
spread and food is out but my nerves get the better of me and I can hardly eat.
I notice my photographer has now gotten in position to shoot and I begin my
proposal. I sing my song I had written her and play my harmonica over the
guitar parts recorded on my iPhone. Such a handy device that iPhone.
“Will you
marry me?” and I pull out the ring at the songs finally. Stunned, she drops a
tear and says yes! I then present her with the Snapple cap and she can hardly
believe that I had actually done that. I think she was more excited about that
then the ring…. could have saved some money. Just kidding.
The
photographer then takes pictures of our happy moment and we have a sweet
engagement photo session with her. Her websites are:
and
She is an awesome friend also. Here are some pictures from our day!