Yay to us. We met in 1995, started dating in 1999, and moved together to Seattle in 2000 for Elysia’s first duty station at Bremerton. We were married six years ago today in Central Park.
I proposed during a quick vacation and visit to Elysia’s family in Queens. It is one of the few times I have succeeded in surprising her and I managed to give her family a head’s up without them blowing the secret. Only it did not go the way I intended.
Being confident, I asked Elysia’s father for permission. At the time, I had been looking for work in Seattle for several months. Her dad was very polite and, smiling, told me that perhaps it would be good if I had a job. I couldn’t agree more! I’d had several good interviews, but nothing had come through yet. He again very politely suggested that starting a marriage would be easier once I had a job. I agreed, was glad we agreed, and then Elysia and I went to Central Park where I proposed.
That night at the dinner table, I waited for Elysia’s family to react to the news. Her grandmother only speaks Chinese and everyone speaks it at home, so I just sat there happily munching away and waiting for a tone of excitement in the conversation. It didn’t happen. They were all relatively quiet.
About halfway through dinner I nudged Elysia and asked her to tell them. They already knew. I didn’t know what to make of it and was somewhat disappointed that it was not a big deal. Elysia shrugged it off.
THREE YEARS LATER: I am having a conversation with my brother in law who, thinking back and laughing, casually says “Boy, you sure had a lot of balls to go ahead and propose after her father said No!”
2 Responses to “Anniversary”
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Great story!
I will always remember your wedding ceremony–kinda dreary NYC day and right as you said your vows the sun broke through just enough to light the two of you up. Very lovely!
Congratulations and much continued happiness.
As someone who shares your anniversary date, I can only say our stories are similar in some ways. When I asked Robin’s dad for his daughter’s hand, he said “would you do it anyway if I said no?” I had to admit we would.
Just before the wedding ceremony began, her dad leaned over and whispered in her ear, “you don’t have to do this, you know.”