My Proposal (A Year After)

(Note: I have told this story many times to several people. And still, I get similar question; how did you propose? To answer the question, I write my side of the story.)

For quite some time, I kept wondering, when would be the best time to propose?

Friends suggested to do it in a romantic place. Others encouraged me to travel and go out of the familiar places, with her. I imagined it best when there is something special in that day (November 20 is very special to me).

All set (in my mind). November 2010 would be it in either Rome or Paris (where else is more romantic than these cities). Amsterdam and Brussels (Europe's capital) were also in the back-up plan.

She came to Amsterdam in the middle of November 2010. We took the comfortable train ride to Nijmegen, arguably the oldest city in the Netherlands, where my university is located.

As planned, we prepared to travel to Weeze-Rome-Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam-Nijmegen in 8 days.

In Rome, there were so many things to see and do. As a Catholic, Rome connected me to a self in awe and adoration of a faith so close and real. It was personal.

Together traveling, we discovered more our differences which led to arguments, and more arguments. For example, there was a difference in the way we viewed the trip. For me, it was a holiday wherein I could relax and sit back. For her, it was time to visit as many historical places as possible, especially the "bocca della verita." This kind of difference and argument caused me to forego the plan, in Rome.

Next stop was Paris. It was a short stop but worth every time in it. It was chilly in the city. I sensed a vibrancy in the city itself and I just let myself have a taste of  life the city was offering. We rode the Paris breeze.

We ended up in Brussels in the next stop. We met my cousin and she toured us around Europe's capital. And then, Filipino dinner was served. (Thanks to Salva and Eng). Again, the plan was shelved to give way to food attack.

On the way back to the Netherlands, we almost missed the last connecting train in Antwerp. In that massive Antwerp train station, we got 5 minutes to look for the train to bring us to Roosendaal. Just in time, we did it.

Back to Nijmegen the following day, I had a meeting with the research team at Radboud University Nijmegen. After the meeting, we roamed around the university. And then we biked to the German border near Kranenburg in the afternoon.

The next day, we went to Amsterdam. I told myself that it could be the P-Day. Anne Frank house came as the priority of the day. And then, Amsterdam central. Hushed most of the day, we rushed home to save us from freezing in the cold. Again, the plan crushed to the sounds and sights of a moving train.

Last day together came, before she returned to Singapore for work. It was November 27, 2010. Talks about Sinterklaas (a Dutch celebration) and the atmosphere that went with it were all hovering in the air in the Netherlands. I was told by my host parents that prior to the coming of Sinterklaas on December 5, children put their shoes near the chimney or heater for Sinterklaas to place his gift.

I thought about it for a moment. While in the shower, the idea came and enveloped me with its warmth. The spontaneity defied all plans in my head. I just imagined things happening. It was a now or never moment, and so I thought.

As I placed the ring inside her shoe, I imagined scenarios. Ahhh.. Once she put on her shoes, she would feel something inside. And there, she would scream. I would come to her and see what in the shoes, kneeling. Then, I would pick the ring and show to her with the magic words. Perfect, was it?

What happened was that when she put her shoes on, she walked two or three steps farther. And when she noticed something, she grabbed her shoe and turned it upside down. There went the ring rolling in the kitchen, near the basement door.

Shocked, I shouted, "where is it?"
She responded, "what is it?"
I kept asking, where is it? Where is it?
And she kept replying in question, what is it? What is it?

I found it underneath the cooking range. She was beside me on bended knees. And there I said (something like this or to this effect), "In such a short time together (2 years), you have made me feel better and loved. You have made me do worthy and crazy things. You have made me believe in the ideals and noble causes of life. Ms. Noriko, I want to live a life with you for the longest time I can in this world. I want you and me in this wonderful life and world together. Would you be part of this life with me? Marry me."

In the unexpected and yet most romantic place in the world at that time (kitchen in Groesbeeksedwarsweg, Nijmegen), she hugged me saying, (what else), yes, yes, yes, many times, yes.

I was the happiest man, and still am.