Our Story
Sonnet XVII
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
- Pablo Neruda
How it began...
the early days of courtship.
While working together at Chinatown Adventure, Michelle never failed to mystify (read: fascinate) Gil.
Incident #1
Michelle insisting on eating spoiled food even after Gil begged her not to.
Incident #2
Michelle dancing wildly with a bar stool with everyone watching.
Incident #3
Michelle punching a paper towel box in a fit of anger after Gil asked her, "What's wrong with you?"
Incident #4
Michelle crawling into a dryer just to see if she could fit.
Stories of Courtship
Story #1:
Gil bashfully slid an envelope across the table to Michelle, saying: "So...what do you think about this?" Inside was a flier for his school's winter formal. Confused, Michelle queried: "Are you asking me to your winter formal?" Gil replied sheepishly: "Maybe."
Story #2:
Gil forgot to tell Michelle he was at the theater watching a show. As a result, Michelle spent three hours in an internet cafe in Vietnam waiting for Gil to arrive on instant messenger for a chat. Best date ever.
Story #3:
Gil promised to take Michelle out to dinner, but said he had to step out to meet some friends for a bit and would be back after an hour. Five hours and a couple of drinks later, Gil was passed out on his bed and Michelle was still hungry. Gil woke up with permanent marker scrawled all over him.
Proposal
A beach story
Gil and Michelle had planned to go to Sandy Hook Beach throughout the entire summer of 2008, but never had the opportunity to do so. They finally went on the last day of the summer. Gil packed a picnic lunch consisting of an assortment of tart berries and other sumptuous delights, including People magazine.
The day started out sunny and bright, but by the time they arrived to the beach, storm clouds were gathering. Clouds stretched out from the horizon. Distant rumblings of thunder loomed. Michelle wanted to leave; Gil insisted on staying.
After taking a brief respite, Michelle came back to the picnic area where Gil had laid out the fruit and picnic blanket. Michelle sat down and began to peel sun-burnt skin from her leg. Meanwhile, Gil started chortling.
Michelle asked, "Are you laughing at me because I'm so disgusting?" Gil replied, "No, I'm laughing at you because you're funny and I love you." Michelle continued to peel off her skin, and proceeded to fling the pieces across the blanket at Gil. That was when when she noticed the ring hidden in the fruit container.
And that's when Gil proposed.
