Super-Secret Love Maneuver

I noticed Hot Pants' heart was beating rather rapidly Saturday morning as we cuddled in bed, trying to go back to sleep because 8:30 is too goddamn early to get up on the weekend. I didn't think much of it, figuring the coffee he'd had the night before was quickening his pulse. I went downstairs to visit with our out-of-town guests and to eat the remnants of the cake from the previous night's dinner. After about 20 minutes, he asked if I could please come upstairs for just a minute.

When we got upstairs, he asked me to pull up the Web site for SongFight!, the online songwriting competition he runs. This is what I saw. I looked over and saw that he had placed an open ring box on the bed next to me. Inside was the most beautiful sapphire and diamond ring I have ever seen, made just for me based on what I had said I wanted in an engagement ring. I immediately burst into tears and got all flustered. He and his friends had all written songs just for the proposal, all sitting there waiting for me to listen. My mind was racing.

"Which one should I listen to first?" I said between sniffs.
"Uh, mine?" John said, smiling.

I clicked play and listened to him singing about how much he loves me. At the end of the song he sings "Will you marry me?" I nodded vigorously, unable to speak properly. He slid the ring on my finger. Perfect.

I started calling everyone I could think of, but not many people were answering their phones. I was particularly pissed my parents weren't picking up. I began making plans with some folks to go to a celebratory brunch at our favorite spot, Radial Cafe. We got dressed and got in the car to go to Radial but John didn't stop the car at the restaurant, instead driving in a big circle and getting on the interstate.

"Are my parents in town?" I asked incredulously.
"No, they are not in town," he answered with a grin on his face.

I tried not to ask any more questions, even though I had no idea what was happening or where we were going. The aquarium? The CNN center? Wren's Nest? He made a joke about going to Six Flags, but we were headed south on the interstate, not west. The airport! I thought. I asked if he had flown in Chippendales dancers to congratulate me. Or a marching band? Do I get a performance? I babbled to keep my mind from spinning. I know whose faces I was hoping to see, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.

We arrived and stood in the receiving area with dozens of other people, all of whom had no idea what had just happened. So, I took it upon myself to tell them. We had time to kill, after all. And then I saw the faces of my mom and dad topping the escalator from the gates area. I squeaked out an "Eek!" and ran toward them, collapsing in hugs and tears.

"I was hoping it was going to be you!" I said excitedly.

They were all smiles. So was HP.

We got in the car and drove back to Radial Cafe. I saw a familiar car in the parking lot. It belonged to my friend, Chris, who lives in Jackson, Miss.

"No way!" I yelled, jumping out of the car and running toward the restaurant's back door. I could see in the window my aunt and cousin from Tennessee, friends from Chattanooga and friends from here in Atlanta. I pulled at the door handle, but it was locked.

"Let me in!" I yelled.

They couldn't open the door, either. Arg! I ran around the restaurant and through the throngs of brunch eaters to the back of the restaurant, where sat 30 of my friends and family members waiting to celebrate with us. They had all known HP's plans for two weeks or more and hadn't even hinted that something was going on. Some told me they didn't answer the phone for fear that morning for fear of tipping me off to the plan.

We hugged and giggled and talked and visited. Plates of grits, eggs, tofu hash, biscuits and bagels came out, filling the room with delicious smells. I sat and looked around in amazement at how many people were there just for me, just because they love me, even if it meant driving five hours or more to get there.

More crying.

It was truly the most perfect day of my entire life. I had many of the wonderful people in my life around me. And I had the man I love next to me, promising to be right there next to me for the rest of my life.

Thanks, baby. You did good.