Engagement: Terrifying and Nerve-wracking. That is how I would describe the lead up to that fateful question.
The thought of engagement was on my mind for quite some time since meeting Rae. She had brought out the very best in me and kept me grounded through thick and thin. Upon that I decided to pop the question to the person in which I would spend the rest of my life. The question was: which ring and how to do it?
Luckily the first question was already answered since she and I browsed several times to see what types she liked and didn't like. Gold? Out. Nickle? Allergic. Colors? Loved blue. OK so sapphire it was. After deciding on a Vera Wang ring I started plotting my moves to actually purchase the ring. While at the mall with Rae I told her I would be getting my haircut while she was shopping. Once she walked away I sprinted down to the store and the girl behind the counter recognized me immediately. She pulled out the ring and we dashed to checkout. I was going to grab the ring, run to the car, hide the bag inside my spare tire well (which was spotless since it is a new car) and grab a quick cut to hide what I had done. That - Didn't - Happen.
Upon arriving to the counter I pulled out my card to make payment and the computer was down (first sign of disaster). Secondly, my card was declined and they ran it 9 times. After calling the credit card company and confirming there was no problems on my end they called corporate only to be told that their systems were down and asked if I had cash. Cash? CASH?!?! No, unfortunately I carry things that allow me to make payments without having to carry around a large stack of money and feel like a bank robber. I asked them if they could hold the ring, which they agreed, and I leave to find Rae searching the mall for me and needed to make up some stupid excuse as to why my hair wasn't cut yet.
I tell her that I was just going to look at the ring and that by time I got back to get my hair cut the wait was too long. She thinks it's suspicious and tries to call me on it. I instruct her to go to the store to see that the ring was actually there since if I bought it it wouldn't be. She agreed. As we approach the store the same woman sees us and, like a professional, acts like she's never seen me. We look for the ring and to my utter despair discover they never put the ring back in the case. So not only did I not get the ring, I told Rae that I didn't and now I can't prove it since it isn't there. Needless to say the women made up some excuse that someone came and bought the ring yesterday and that they could order another in if we would like. That seemed to answer all the questions and as Rae sunk her head down and left the store the women gave me a thumbs up and I knew the plan was saved (kind of).
About a week later I decide to try again and after withdrawing cash (I actually did feel like a bank robber) I returned to the store and successfully purchased THE RING! I gingerly placed the ring in its protective box in my super secretive spare tire (since it had come to my attention that Rae was actively searching for said ring that was not purchased yet). The waiting game began.
In the mean time I made my way over to speak with her brother and father (separately) about permission to marry their sister/daughter. After proverbial thumbs up all around (and a few beers with Papa Kasaba) I knew I was in the clear. But how to do it?
Since day one of meeting Rae we agreed that there was no greater time of the year then Fall. Not just for the weather, or the colors, or even the pumpkin flavored everything. We love it for the things that scare the ever loving god out of us. SOOO why not propose at a location in which our first conversation was regarding - a haunted house. I contacted the owner of Pennhurst Asylum and Bates Motel and with the help of Randy, the owner, I had everything ironed out.
Fast forward to October 9. With Rae, myself and her brother RJ (who was in on the entire plan and planning on being my cameraman for the big event) we headed to Philly to start our adventure. Upon arriving at the hotel and checking in the front desk worker announced I see here you're getting engaged. Congratulations!. Shocked and stunned were understatements. As I realize what she just said I turn to my right to see Rae with an absolute grin on her face and back to the woman to see her inner life force completely crumble into nothingness as I stare at her with a rage that could have melted steel. Thankfully, I then realized that Rae's smile was due to her brother making a joke that I had not heard since I had tunnel vision not to burn the hotel to the ground. After retreating to the hotel room to check in we were off to Pennhurst before coming back home and getting ready for the big day.
On Saturday we headed off to a local corn maze. Now I could tell that Rae could sense something was up and was completely aware and ready for me to pop the question. But ALAS I held off and stuck to the plan! We did some shopping and grabbed dinner before heading to the Bates Motel. Upon arriving we were both amazed and caught off guard at the sheer size of the spectacle in front of us. There was a Universal Studios in December worth of people crammed into an area no bigger then Knoebels. I could see the faces of the two others and with excitement and disdain we headed towards the line to get tickets.
BUT SURPRISES I HAD ARRANGED! We walked right past the line of people to get tickets and directly to the management office where we met Randy. He introduced himself, asked for our tickets, and then handed us back VIP tickets to skip all the lines (surprise success!). Randy then led us towards the VIP hayride and as we approached we stopped a photo booth. Randy directed Rae to sit in the throne and I nervously approached after handing my phone to RJ to record the events to follow.
I look up and I see Rae sitting in her throne, smile on her face and completely unaware of what was about to happen. I nervously fiddled with the ring in my pocket as I stood next to her. The photographer takes a few pictures and then nods his head to me. I grasp the ring and I am terrified to do what I have wanted to since meeting this amazing and completely out of my league woman. I awkwardly dropped to one knee with the skill and grace of a lumberjack, pulled the diamond ring out of my shaky palm, and uttered the question that I have been so anxious and excited to ask Will you marry me?.
Shock, confusion, excitement flashed all at once across her face as what I had just done sunk deep into that beautiful soul. At that moment I wasn't in a park surrounded by people or even outside. I was in a room with her as I nervously awaited to hear what she had to say. I didn't have to wait long as I heard that word that I was eagerly hoping for Yes. (followed very quickly with a definitive I hate you, its on film really).
The rest of the night was followed with an equal mix of Rae looking at her ring amid various screams and lit up with the flashing lights of fire bursts and explosions, looking at each other in awe at what we are about to undertake, and high fives from RJ as his video skills were on point. The night went on and since that moment I still catch her looking at her ring from time to time. Perhaps shocked that is happened, maybe wondering if it was all real, or maybe it was just because an oaf like me snagged a gem like her.
The rest is history. . . | 
