Illustration Friday: E is For...

I know it's late but I've been meaning to do this all week. I had been trying to think up a good way to post the big news here and then Illustration Friday popped up with the perfect opportunity. I know this illustration is not super complex but I think it accurately captures the elegance and simplicity of the moment Nick and I shared. Now, I bet you want the details, am I right?

As alluded to in earlier posts, Nick and I recently took a vacation out East. Of course, this presented the perfect opportunity for Nick to pop the question and make our engagement official. Before we left we had planned to stay in New York City for one night (we primarily stayed with Nick's Dad in Hartford, CT). So on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 we headed off to the Big Apple. After multiple delays (mostly us lolligagging) we checked into the hotel and began talking about dinner. Nick suggested I take a shower and start getting ready since it would take me longer than him. While I was in the shower (I found this out after the fact) he got on the phone to his Dad and apparently his Dad's collegues and got a multitude of suggestions for restaurants. He decided on Tavern on the Green and made a reservation. He got ready and debonairly got us to the restaurant, which I have to admit is a side of him I've never seen.


Tavern on the Green was like nothing else I've ever experienced. The dining room was still decorated for Christmas and it was beautiful. Nick ordered us wine and I had lobster bisque soup followed by Seafood Fra Diavolo (Pasta with scallops, lobster, and huge shrimp) and Nick had crab cakes followed by Filet Mignon. The food was excellent and it was nice to sit and enjoy each other's company in the romantic surroundings.


Since the restaurant is right on the edge of Central Park, after dinner Nick and I went for a walk. It was a little rainy, but after a few minutes we found ourselves completely alone in the middle of the city. It was then that he took his opportunity and asked me if I would be his wife. Of course, I said yes. I think his choice to propose in the park was the perfect symbol of our relationship. I'm a pretty high strung person and he takes his responsibilities very seriously so a lot of our relationship has been supporting one another as we take on whatever comes our way. To be in the park, alone, in the middle of such a chaotic city like New York, I think captures the level of comfort and security we depend on from one another.


I used to spend a lot of time imagining that moment, and I can honestly say that Nick exceeded every single one of my expectations. I love him and I couldn't be happier.