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I was really bummed on the weekend of New Years 2006 because all my friends and Travis (my boyfriend of 1 1/2 years) were going to Chicago for a Christian conference.
I couldn’t go along because I had to work during the week.
My family and I were celebrating Christmas that weekend, however, and after we opened family presents, I was given an unmarked gift. With no idea who it was from, I assumed my mom because it was her wrapping paper. When I unwrapped the box, I found a photo box with two envelopes and another present inside. The first envelope was an invitation that read: “You are cordially invited to have dinner in Chicago tomorrow night. Put on something nice, pack an overnight bag, and get ready for a night on the town. Look for an old friend at O’Hare.”
Confused and surprised, I looked in the second envelope and discovered a plane ticket to Chicago. “Is this is a real plane ticket? Am I really going to Chicago?” were the thoughts going through my mind. Lastly, I unwrapped the present, which was a scrapbook full of pictures of Travis and me. Finally I knew who the gift was from.
As I was boarding the plane the next day to Chicago, dressed in a black strapless dress and heels with my hair all done, my mom and sister-in-law gave me another envelope, which read “95th Floor, Signature Room, 7:30.” One of the stewardesses on the plane caught sight of the invitation and asked about it. I showed her and another stewardess both invitations and told them the whole story. They were really excited for me.
Travis’ good friend, Josh, picked me up from the airport and drove me to downtown Chicago. Travis met us at a small church across from the John Hancock Building. We walked into the church’s small courtyard and talked for a while. Then Travis told me how the weekend had made him realize that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together. He reached into his coat pocket for the ring, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. I said, “Yes I will,” we kissed and hugged, and he put the most gorgeous diamond ring on my finger.
Newly engaged, we walked across the street to the John Hancock Building, past the long line waiting for entrance to the Signature Room, and rode the elevator up to the 95th Floor. We ate dinner and drank champagne by candlelight and gazed out at the beautiful lights of Chicago.
After dinner, we took a carriage ride around downtown Chicago, admiring the lights and skyscrapers. Then we went to the Chicago Hilton Hotel where the conference and all our friends were. The second we got there, everyone cheered and ran to give us hugs—and see my ring! After we sat down, I got to tell the proposal story to all 75 of them.
It was the most amazing night of my life.
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