My girlfriend Emily and I had been dating
for several years. We had both recently
graduated from college and had begun our careers out in the
"real world". A few weeks into our new jobs we were
both feeling a little overwhelmed by
reality and I suggested that we do something out of the ordinary
to lighten us
up a bit. However, I had a secret motive that night…
We got into my car with no particular destination
in mind and headed
toward the outskirts
of town. Emily wasn't sure where we were headed, because I
kept my plan secret from her. The county fair was in full
swing , and
as we passed the fairgrounds,
Emily turned to me and said, "I want to go ride the rides!",
just like a little girl. That's one of the things I love about
her so much, and just exactly what I had hoped would happen.
We
paid our admission
at the gate and Emily immediately grabbed my hand and dragged
me off to the Tilt-a-Whirl. She loves the "wild"
rides and laughed and shrieked
like a kid as we spun
around and around. As we staggered off, I told her that it
was my turn to choose.
I'm a bit more on the
tame side when it comes to carnival
rides, so I suggested the ferris wheel.
I have always loved the smooth, gliding
circle that gives you a view of the whole carnival and the
city beyond.
As Emily stepped in front of me to sit in the ferris wheel
seat, I quickly turned to the operator, pointed straight up
in the air and flashed
him the diamond ring I was planning to present to Emily at
the top of the ride. He got my drift and gave me a nod.
The ride slowed every few seconds as the operator let more
passengers on, while Emily and I sat close together with contented
smiles on our faces. Then we really got going. We went around
and around quite a few times, until I was beginning to think
the operator hadn't understood after all. Finally we gradually
began to slow down until Emily and I surveyed the world from
the top of the ferris wheel.
"Oh, honey,
isn't this so romantic?" Emily
exclaimed.
I looked at this beautiful woman with her childlike
enthusiasm and felt my heart melt.
I took her face in my hands and said, "Emily, do you
have any idea how much I love you?"
She smiled up at me but knew there was no response needed.
I reached into my pocket and took her left hand in mine.
"Emily, my love, will you be my wife?" I asked as
I slid
a diamond engagement
ring on her finger."
As she leaned
forward to hug me
and say "yes", the lights on the ferris wheel began
to flicker on and off wildly, and the carnival workers gathered
below let out a big cheer.
Twelve years later Emily and I (and the kids too!) still
love to ride the ferris wheel and make it a point to share
a ride whenever the carnival comes to town.
(521 words)
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