Penny’s Version

We just got back from London, trying to settle back into the apartment after being away for two weeks and adjusting to jet lag. Despite being fatigued, Andy woke up at 6am to get ready for work. He had a spring in his step and looked really eager. I asked him, “You’re really eager to get to work today, aren’t you?” He smiled and said “Yes” and started singing a made-up song about cherry blossoms like a happy boy who just found a new tune.

While he was getting ready, I was making breakfast. He walked into the room holding his slacks and suit jacket and a wrinkled white dress shirt. I ironed his shirt for him while he getting his things together…lots of things. I hadn’t realized it, but as he was leaving the apartment, he was carrying a stuffed messenger bag, camera bag, and suit jacket (which he hardly ever wears). I asked him, “Are you taking taking another trip??”. He smiled at me and jokingly said “yes” and then told me that he was planning on getting off work early so we could rest and spend some time together. Normally on Tuesdays, Andy has his Aikido sessions and I have my personal training session but he had mentioned the night before about not going. I asked him how early was early to see if I needed to cancel my gym appointment, thinking ‘early ‘meant 5:30pm, but he said he was thinking before 5pm but wasn’t sure and would let me know by lunchtime.

Just before noon, he texted me saying “I left a little something for you in my camera cabinet…let me know what you think ” I found this:

After I read this, the first thing I thought was…4pm?? Doesn’t he have to work?? I quickly replied and texted him back to say that I’d love to join him for tea. He said, “Can’t wait….I believe it is cherry blossom themed so I can keep singing my new song See you this afternoon!”

I arrived to the Peninsula to find him waiting in the lobby smiling. We walked to our seats and ordered. The spread arrived with all sorts of delicious looking sandwiches and cakes along with fragrant teas. He had ordered the Peninsula Breakfast Blend and I ordered the seasonal Sakura tea. Andy was sitting there in his suit jacket (again which he hardly ever wears) and trying hard to keep a conversation going. It was so unlike him, he never usually minds to sit with pockets of silence here and there.

He then mentioned that he had a big lunch and barely touched the sandwiches and cake. I started to wonder why we were there. Andy excused himself and said he had to use the restroom. He had been gone for 5….10…15…close to 20 minutes. I was slowly getting sleepy in my seat until a man came over and handed me an envelope again with my initial on it. Inside was a note and a room key The note said,

“My Darling Penny, please do me the honour of joining me in the room upstairs at your convenience.”

I couldn’t stop grinning but scared at the same time. I was also worried about leaving the table and being chased for not paying the bill! I took my chances and got up and walked to the room elevators.

Once getting off the elevator, I walked down the hallway and passed a family leaving their room which was next door and wondered if they had a idea what was happening.

I found the room and tapped the key against the doorknob and it unlocked. I slowly swung open the door and one of our favorite songs, “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers, was playing in the background. The floor was covered with rows of red rose petals with pictures of us that went all around the room.

I stood in the hallway by the door which opened up to the living room area and I was too scared to move. I waited a few minutes and then slowly walked towards into the living room space and stood still – afraid he was behind and about to surprise me (it’s something he would do). After another minute, I realized I was alone and thought “phew”!

I decided to put my purse down on the couch thinking, “Hmm, maybe he’s late?” As I was about to sit, I decided to look at all the photos he had laid around the room since it was clear that he spent so much time decorating. I went back to the front door and followed the trail to the couch, around the coffee table, behind the dining table, passing by the desk and ending at the closed sliding door. I foolishly assumed that was it and headed back to the couch. As I sat there…I realized, “WAIT…maybe this is a trail and there’s more beyond the closed door!”

So I walked over to the door and slid it open…and low and behold, more red petals and memorable pictures were leading through the vanity area, the closet, the bathroom and stopping at another sliding door. As I followed the trail, I got more excited but still scared at the same time.

My heart was pounding harder and harder and when I slid the next door open, I found Andy kneeling on one knee in the bedroom behind a perfectly shaped heart made out of rose petals.

He told me how amazing our time together so far has been and how he felt like his life had just begun. He was trying to find all the words to express his love and happiness, including telling me how I was the best thing that happened to him and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and after that too, whatever that means.

He finished by asking, “Penny, will you marry me?” and opened a white box with a light shining down on something that was blinding!! For a moment, I was distracted by how cool it was that there was a light inside a ring box so Andy gently reminded me that there was question that still needed answering…

I told him that there was nothing more I’d rather do than spend the rest of my life with him. He slid the most beautiful ring I had ever seen on my hand, got up, maneuvered around the heart of rose petals and kissed me. I am so lucky to have such a romantic fiance!

This was our first photo as an engaged couple!