She Said

Long before B proposed, I’ve been drawn to Pinterest, Martha Stewart Weddings, and all the other wedding-related sites. I’ve been dying to save all the beautiful, picture perfect bridal gowns, lush floral arrangements, pastel pretty bridesmaid dresses and all that Jazz. BUT there was this guilty feeling only because we weren’t formally engaged yet. I’ve been trying to hold back in looking at all those inspiration portals. It was hard.

Fast forward to my birthday in 2012. It was one heck of a fully-loaded day. How did B propose?

The “salubong” midnight.

As soon as the clock struck 12 midnight, there were flowers, a cake, a musical greeting card (that doubled as an invitation to my own birthday celebration? Oh yes!), and this house-box which I could only open once we were already at the park — which I also suspected to contain THE ring.

The birthday picnic at the park.

We were supposed to go to Salcedo Park but B changed plans and we went to Washington Sycip Park instead. He wrote the park’s name (first option) on the greeting card, which I took a photo of and posted on IG and so he thought there might be some uninvited guests who’ll show up! *grin* There at the park, we enjoyed a birthday picnic for two, which has been my favorite thing to do for my birthday for years.

This was where he let me open this house-looking house-box. It was lightweight. I was panting as I imagined that THE ring was inside it. When I opened it, I found our pictures – lots of them in small odd sizes (smaller than wallet-size). I felt a bit disappointed. My gut feel that he’s going to propose on my birthday slowly dissolved into thin air. But, I enthusiastically played along with his game called Puzzloid. B instructed to choose the appropriate photo and arrange it chronologically based on the event. The pictures represented Polaroid (pictures) and a puzzle, hence the name Puzzloid.

The fancy TWG Tea Salon dinner.

I couldn’t finish the Puzzloid in time before the park closed so we had to transfer to TWG. I delighted myself in sniffing and reading different teas from the menu and what they meant. My tea of choice was no less than “Happy Birthday Tea” (Yes, they really have this exclusive blended tea. Cute eh?). It was a fancy dinner and it felt like we were two old souls in an old world, just full of love for each other.

The wine and game at Barcino.

Birthday picnic and fancy dinner didn’t seem enough for the day. We had to transfer again, this time at Barcino. Puzzloid game were continued over red wine and cheese. I was able to figure out the message slowly to the point where I don’t have to ask B for clues or hints. I just arranged them accordingly and already got the message!

Message on the Puzzloid: “Jaycelle Nerissa Apo Playda. I love you with all that I am. Happy birthday.”

But there’s one piece missing, I thought to myself though that the message is pretty much clear so what could be on that last piece?! I hurriedly scanned the table and under the table I saw this one piece of picture faced down. I asked B to grabbed it for me and to my surprise, that piece wrote “Will you marry me?”!

He knelt on one knee, pulled out a silver infinity ring with a shot glass to represent a huge rock on my engagement ring! Shot glass as THE rock, gets? Haha! And as if it wasn’t enough, he pulled out this DIY gift certificate that read: This certificate entitles Jaycelle Nerissa Apo Playda to commission the jeweler of her choice to create the ring of her choice (with a photo of Bella Swan’s ring). SWOON!!! Tears flowed freely from my eyes. I just hugged him and kissed him and hugged him some more.

Boom! Just like that, I was blown away. B proposed! This day has been a roller coaster ride — from thinking that he is going to propose, to thinking he is not going to propose, to still being surprised that he is indeed going to propose. I think it was brilliant! B was successful in carrying out his plans, in surprising me and in getting the most genuine reaction ever! *happy love tears*

We’re engaged!!!