Grow Old Along With Me

 Marie & Aaron
New York, NY

 
I should have suspected that it was coming. Aaron and I had often talked about not wanting to be one of those couples who date for a decade, decide to live together, have a 5-year engagement, and then finally ties the knot to the relief of their family and friends. I often mentioned how much I admired the actions of my maternal grandfather, who met my grandmother in college and then proposed to her not long after they started dating by reciting Robert Browning's poem Grow Old Along With Me.

 We both come from very traditional backgrounds, and living together before marriage was out of the question for me. So when our relationship was humming along nicely a few weeks short of our 9-month anniversary, he decided to pop the question. But first he had to ask for my father's blessing. He was extremely tricky about this. He asked my dad out to a nice lunch at a country club and made small talk for a good half of an hour. And then he casually mentioned that he wanted to marry me. From what I hear, the conversation went something like this:

 Aaron: "Mr. Cannizzaro, I have to admit that I didn't ask you here just to get to know you better. I want to ask for your permission to marry your daughter, Marie."

Dad: [Silence]

Aaron: "Uh, I have the ring here if you want to see it."

Dad: [Silence]

Aaron: "So let me tell you why I want to marry her . . ."

 Finally my father recovered from his shock and said that he couldn't imagine having a better son-in-law. I think Aaron's heart rate dropped back to a semi-normal level at that point. 

Fast-forward a week later (my father managed to keep the secret from both myself and my mother during that period—something that both frightened and impressed us upon retrospect). With our 9-month anniversary approaching, Aaron said he wanted to take me out to dinner with another couple at Zibibbo in Palo Alto. But the day of the dinner, he said he first wanted to stop by a nearby art gallery. 

The main installation was a series of black-and-white photographs. But as we moved through the gallery, we came across a brightly covered canvas with a poem written in metallic script. It was Grow Old Along With Me! Aaron had created this incredible painting with the poem on it, hung it in the gallery with the gallery owner's permission, and was now reading it to me as I stood next to him. I, however, had no idea what was going on. It wasn't until he was actually on one knee with a ring that I realized he was actually proposing to me. And that's when I started to black out.

Luckily, I recovered, and after crying and thanking the gallery owner and calling almost everyone in my phone book, we went out to dinner at Zibibbo—the "other couple" story was a trick!—and had a bottle of champagne that Aaron had stashed there beforehand.

A Shoe Box of Memories on New Year’s Eve

 Carol & Calvin
New York, NY

 New Year's Eve, 2006. The evening began at Soho's Aqua Grill with Carol, Calvin, Carol's sister Elaina and bro-in-law Jeff. We had a delectable feast, reflected on the Lord's blessings in 2006 and shared our goals and resolutions for 2007.

After dinner, the two couples split off for post-dinner plans. Calvin took Carol on a secret excursion, stating that they would go to one of their favorite spots in the city, but experience it a little differently. Carol had no idea what would unfold that evening. It turned out, Calvin took Carol to Central Park and they shared their first ever carriage ride. Meanwhile, unbeknown to Carol, Elaina and Jeff went back to Carol's apartment to help set up the place.

After the carriage ride, Calvin walked with Carol to the lower loop in Central Park where they had their first DTR (determining the relationship). (NOTE: This DTR was not a success from Calvin's standpoint). Carol and Calvin shared about their most memorable moments in 2006 and reflected back on the journey of their friendship and relationship. At this point, Carol began to think maybe Calvin would propose. When he didn't, Carol became sad.

After some time, Carol and Calvin walked back to Carol's apartment. Calvin ringed up Elaina and Jeff to warn them that they were coming home. When they finally arrived home, Carol and Calvin saw that the apartment was lit up with candles and decorated with flower arrangements. Flower petals also formed a path along the floor and beautiful ornaments were hanging from the ceiling. Meanwhile, two glasses of champagne, a shoebox of memories and a guitar were placed by the coffee table, and a video camera was facing the couch.  Elaina and Jeff had followed Calvin's plan perfectly. Carol was surprised and excited. Calvin was a nervous wreck.

Calvin brought Carol to the couch and sang her a song she loves: "Growing Old With You" by Adam Sandler. Calvin changed the lyrics of the last verse to make it unique for Carol. Calvin told Carol that it was here where they prayed together and first began their relationship, and that Calvin wanted to create more memories with Carol here. Calvin opened the shoebox of memories and pulled out the ring. Awkwardness ensued as Calvin tried to bend on one knee and then opted to bend on both knees after testing several squatting varieties. Then Calvin told Carol that he wants to grow old with her and asked her, "Will you marry me?" Carol said yes! Calvin gingerly tried to put the ring on Carol's finger, taking as much as 10-15 seconds to do it.

After a moment for just the two of us, Calvin went to open the front door for Elaina and Jeff. With the story shared and the video watched, we all toasted the new year together!

Julie & Andy