There are so many
stories surrounding my recent wedding. I don't want to forget any of them, so
I'm recording them for posterity here. This is lifted directly from our wedding
website.
I knew for a long time
that I wanted to ask Jaclyn to spend the rest of our lives together. When her
parents visited New York in July of 2013, I spoke with them and got the go
ahead. Jaclyn and I were planning on moving in together and I didn't want to wait
too long after that. Jaclyn was also planning on running the NYC Marathon for
the first time, and I wanted, with all my heart, to propose around that
momentous event.
That did not happen.
Timing just did not work
out. November was a crazy time between the Marathon, moving, and work. Jaclyn
finished the race and three weeks later we moved in together to our wonderful
apartment (in Brooklyn, but with a view of Manhattan). We got settled, and then
I started thinking about how to pop the question. Thankfully Jaclyn had another
race coming up in March - the New York City Half Marathon.
It was going to be
perfect - Jaclyn often described it as her favorite race. I don't think she
realized it but every time she said "Eh, maybe I won't run it" I
tried to convince her otherwise. Thank goodness she listened (I didn't have
another idea). With huge help from friends (Janie and Jocelyn, I'm talking
about you) I put plans into place. Of course I nearly blew it the week before
when I got sick and blamed the stress on her parents visiting the upcoming
weekend. I couldn't well and good tell her was was actually freaking me out
(but in a totally good way).
Sunday was race day and
Jaclyn left early. I triple checked my pocket to make sure the ring was there
and set out to cheer on my (hopeful) fiancee. We saw her at Times Square and
Jocelyn was keeping her going strong. The three of us trekked down town in the
bitter cold to meet up with more of our friends and my parents.
Jaclyn finished the race
with a personal record and I met her at the finish line. Her first words to me
were "I'm going to throw up." I was too. I patted my pocket to make
sure the ring was still there and led her and Jocelyn (who did everything to
keep Jaclyn moving forward) towards where our friends and families were
gathered. Jaclyn made the rounds, hugging and saying hi, but she couldn't
understand why everyone had their phones out. Behind her I got the ring ready
and made her turn around. I dropped to one knee and could barely get the words
out before she said yes.
"You need to put
the ring on me stupid."
"I can't; you're
crying into that hand."
But that's not all.
After an afternoon of phone calls and congratulations, our families went out to
dinner together. This was all a ploy to get our friends into the apartment for
a surprise party (again, thank you Jocelyn and Janie). When we got back, Jaclyn
was surprised.
"Why didn't you
tell me to dress nicer?"
"I said you would
want to look nice for the pictures. You wanted me to give this all away?"
It was perfect and
magical. I am happy I don't have to do it again, because I could never top it.
