The Proposal That Could

[talkstowolves]

Yesterday, on November 10th, 2007, in the mid-afternoon, sirandrew asked me to marry him.

THE PROPOSAL

I'm sitting in a Civil War camp at the Tallassee reenactment. I'm talking with a very engaging and eccentric older man, who is also dressed in civilian clothes (i.e. not Civil War-era). I'm stashed off to the side of the camp and hidden away a bit because there was some drama earlier regarding me sitting in camp and not being dressed appropriately (even though I was a guest and not a reenactor).

Andy has gone off to a meeting of his cavalry unit (the 6th Alabama). I didn't go with him, assuming it was just a meeting to discuss what the unit will be doing in the future. What I didn't know was that they were actually doing promotions, so I missed getting a picture of Andy being promoted to Corporal.

So I'm oblivious, chatting of this and that, when suddenly Lieutenant Colonel Brien McWilliams of the 6th Alabama is bellowing my name. I freeze in shock, then say to no one in particular "Well, I guess there isn't another Deborah here." I stumble to my feet and in the direction of the call, thinking "What the fuck did I do?! I was sitting to the side, hidden! I'm sorry!"

I'm still carrying my digital camera and The Grass-Cutting Sword by Catherynne M. Valente, which I unceremoniously and thoughtlessly dump on a camp stool as I walk past one. I've come around the corner of the tents now, in the almost gloaming-like light that's filtering through these Alabama pines, and I see every man (and woman!) of the 6th Alabama lined up in front of their Lieutenant Colonel. Andy is standing next to his commanding officer.

I walk around the line until I'm standing between the line of at-attention men and their serious-faced commanding officer. I whisper out of the side of my mouth, "Am I'm being court martialed?" but no one cracks even a slight smile apart from Andy. When I have arrived, the Lieutenant Colonel hands the proceedings over to Andy.

My eyes lock with his and he goes down to one knee, taking my hand. He tells me that he loves me and asks if I will marry him. My cheeks flare red as I begin to grin, then say yes in a voice that doesn't carry far from him and me. As he stands up (and we both remove our hats to kiss), the Lieutenant Colonel, eyes twinkling, calls, "She said yes!" The entire company lets out a "HUZZAH!" as Andy and I lock lips and share breath.

/PROPOSAL.


There are pictures, but I don't have any of them yet. I hurriedly put my hat back on and got out of the way after this, letting Andy fall back into line for the conclusion of their company promotion and reorganization business.

But, YAY! Andy and I will become formalized life partners on December 21st, 2008.

This is also a pretty accurate representation of our engagement (;)):

BEATRICE

Speak, count, 'tis your cue.

CLAUDIO

Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were
but little happy, if I could say how much. Lady, as
you are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for
you and dote upon the exchange.

BEATRICE

Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth
with a kiss, and let not him speak neither.

From Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.