Near the mid point of 2009, Carolyn and I had just celebrated the 13th year in our relationship. I initially thought that with 13+ years of build up, this proposal had better be as thoughtful and exciting as she deserves, but I quickly realized chartering a private plane for an overnight ‘rendezvous’ to an exotic location wasn’t really in the budget. I challenged myself to come up with a proposal that would be unique, meaningful and fun. While in the process of searching for the perfect engagement ring, I mentioned in passing to one of the jewellers how it was too bad Carolyn couldn’t be involved in the selection because she would have loved the entire ring shopping experience, especially considering she has such an appreciation for unique & creative design, being an Interior Designer by trade. This was an epiphany moment, and from then on the proposal was ‘diamond-clear’ in my mind.
On July 18th, 2009 we had decided to stay home for the evening with an order of take out sushi and a good DVD. After I had left the house to pick up the Sushi, Carolyn received a mysterious text message informing her she was about to be the sole participant in a city wide Treasure Hunt; her only map being a bundle of seven, carefully penned letters neatly piled on the driver’s seat of our car. The treasure hunt guided her on a journey to various locations throughout Halifax which represented several meaningful stages or moments of our relationship. Some of the locations I sent her were the school where we met, the site of our first kiss and the first apartment we shared together. Like any good treasure hunt, the final location of Carolyn’s journey was literally where ‘X’ marked the spot. Once Carolyn had removed the large ‘X’ I had affixed to the front entrance of our home, she found her ‘husband to be’, down on one knee holding a small ring box. After asking the time tested question, “Will you marry me?”, she joyously replied “Yes, yes, of course yes!”, but only after she had expressed her marvel of how I had organized the entire proposal without her knowledge or even having a hint of suspicion. Before opening the ring box, I felt it necessary to remind her that our relationship has never been conventional, so she should know that the contents of the box wouldn’t be, either. Carolyn then opened the box, revealing a Brilliant Round Canadian Diamond sparkling brightly through the clear topped Gem box in which it sat. You can only imagine the expression of pure excitement on her face when I explained how arrangements had been made for her to work directly with a custom jeweller, designing her own engagement ring. After the excitement of calling our family and friends, the remainder of the evening was spent on ring design, establishing the beginning stages of planning a wedding, and of course finally getting to eat the sushi! I can honestly say it remains one of the happiest days in each of our lives, and we’re very much looking forward to our wedding this August, 2011.
*As told by Kevin Rhyno, with edits.
