This past weekend, one of my best friends got engaged, to a man that just-so-happens to be the best friend of my boy. (They introduced us.) Because of that, we were lucky enough to be asked to be part of the trickery. So, here’s how it all went down for C + M:
I’ve known for a while the C was planning on proposing to M, so when I got a text two weekends prior double-checking her ring preferences and ring size, I was immediately excited. M and I have been talking weddings for years now, so I was only too happy for it to finally happen after they’ve been dating for so many years. Meanwhile, while C was out ring shopping, M started texting me to let me know she thought C was being fishy. Uh oh! Warning C that he better come up with a good story, since he was gone for quite a few hours and only told her he had a dentist appointment, he feigned car shopping with his parents and came up in the clear.
That weekend, with his sister as the decoy to get M away for a while, he went to her parents and did the traditional thing: asked for their permission.
With that secured, the plan was on. So now we needed to figure out how to: get M to the place where they shared their first kiss on our college campus and get her friends to a local bar, without them knowing, to join in the celebration. Having graduated in 2008, this is all easier said than done.
Inspiration struck, and we decided to tell M, and our friends, that I’d like to celebrate my birthday at our old stomping grounds. I then had to act nostalgic with M, as if I wanted to travel back to college, walk around, and buy some clothing at the bookstore, a la this conversation:
Me: Side Note.. I really want one of those nice Monmouth sweaters. Maybe I’ll go give that college more of my money. I don’t think I’ve been back since that one football game we all went to.
M: Yeah I liked it too! But I don’t know where my alumni card is and wouldn’t that get me a discount? I havent been back in a long time.
Seed planted. RSVPs received from everyone else.
Thursday, she still wasn’t terribly convinced, so I needed to water those seeds a bit:
Me: I think I might make Brad walk around Monmouth with me before we go to the bar. I’m feeling nostalgic and old.
M: That’s a good idea..
Me: …I feel like Brad has never really been on Monmouth campus.
M: Yeah, I never thought of that. I think when C proposes he’s going to do it at Monmouth. By Wilson, where we had our first kiss and carved out our names. At least, that’s where I would if I were him.
Me: Yeah, you’ve told me that before. That would be cute. I’ll be obnoxious if you guys come and point out the spot to Brad as the place C will propose to Meagan in 20 years. And then I’ll stare at his face to see how red and gets. I like making people uncomfortable.
Reading that, which is his proposal to a tee, you’d think she knew. But… she didn’t!
Friday came, and with it, another funny conversation:
M: Omg, I had a dream that C proposed to me. In a pizza place, surrounded by people I didn’t care for and the ring was hideous. Nightmare.
Me: Was I at least there? And was it at least a nice pizza place? … Did you at least pretend to like it [the ring]?
show anyone or wear it.
Me: What would you do in real life if you didn’t like it?
M: Well I think it would be impossible for it to be that bad. I have confidence in him. But I have this kind of dream often so I must have some underlying anxiety about it. So I’d rather go try them on with him and give him options and go from there. But who knows. He could get me one that I normally wouldn’t pick out and love it because its from him. Which I ultimately think will happen. But I still worry.
Me: C is going to propose with a gift card for a ring. I would die laughing.
M: Kinda like having an ugly baby. It’s the cutest baby in the world to you.
The next 24 hours became all about timing. I asked a few of non-mutual friends to write on my Facebook wall about how excited they were for my birthday; I told M that I had to pick up other friends and wouldn’t make it to her house before heading out, as it would be cutting everything too close; I (sort of) lied about what time the bookstore closed; and then told her we arrived on campus early and I needed a coffee and to call when she got there. Meanwhile, Brad, another friend, and I did arrive at our college early, set up cameras in the bushes, hid inside one of the buildings and waited for her to call to say she was there. And when she did? I told her that we were walking behind a building and to meet us at the spot that C would ultimately pop the question, kiss her, and place a stunner of a ring (that I can attest is not just beautiful because it’s hers) on her finger.
Happy Engagement C+M — here’s to stress-free wedding planning (for you and for me)!
