Something Shiny

I had wanted to propose to Karen in this really amazing part of Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, where these huge trees form a path up to a stone bench. It would've been very romantic. Only problem was that we went there the weekend before I was to go get the ring, so I couldn't really ask to go back the next weekend; it would've looked too suspicious. Also, Karen was busy with an open house at the Shubert Theatre for BLO, so it would've been just me at Larz Anderson, proposing to nobody but the trees.

The ring was given to me by my grandmother, who had received it from her mother. My parents had it in their possession, so my mother handed it off to me on the sly at the preview performance of BLO's Carmen. I kept it secret, kept it safe for the next three days, trying to come up with a new plan for the proposal.

Earlier in the week I called Karen's parents and told them of my intentions. I think I caught them completely by surprise, maybe even in the middle of dinner. Karen's father, John, told me he was glad I was telling them, and that when he asked Karen's mother to marry him, he didn't ask her father until about 10 or 15 years into their marriage, and that always made Mr. Barry (Linda's father) angry. I like Linda and John a lot, so that's the last thing I would've wanted.

I decided to propose on that Saturday. I knew Karen would be busy all day at the BLO open house, but I thought a nice, slow dinner out and a proposal at home would be great. We spend so much time in each other's company at home, a proposal at home would've been perfect. So I spent Saturday with my heart pumping in my throat.

I also decided not to carry the ring with me on Saturday, so when we got home and were unpeeling the layers, I hurried into the bedroom, retrieved the ring, and met her in the kitchen on one knee.

Then we went out for Turkish food. And that's how we got engaged.