How We Met

Technically, it all started three weeks after I moved from St. Louis to Boston.

We first “met” at a holiday event in Boston for my alma mater, where Jonathan was providing audio/visual support for the program. When I say “met,” I mean that we were introduced to one another and made small talk for about five minutes. Although it was a brief initial visit, it admittedly made an impression on both of us.

Fast forward to three months later. I was at yet another alma mater event and when I arrived, I was glad to see that Jonathan was again providing the audio/video support. He noticed that I was there, too, and we kept smiling at each other throughout the program. Ironically, we did not actually speak to one another that day.

Meanwhile, my apartment-mate, Jessica, and I were in the midst of planning a party at our home for the following Friday. We were already inviting a number of people who I did not know, and I am glad that I added Jonathan to the Evite, too.

The night of the party, Jonathan arrived at my front door wearing a huge smile and carrying a delicious potato dish. Jonathan and I hit it off immediately, and we spent almost the entire evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. I’ll never forget that night.

At the end of the evening, Jonathan invited me to join him at an event that was happening on Sunday. I accepted the invitation, and I had a great time. Soon after, we started dating. And the rest, as “they” say, is history!

Our Engagement

Leah and I had been discussing marriage, so the fact that we would be getting engaged was not going to be a surprise to her. However, due to Leah’s natural inquisitiveness, there were questions about the engagement that I wasn’t going to answer. Or at least not truthfully.

I worked out a ploy with my family, so that I could travel to Ohio to work with a longtime family jeweler on the design of the engagement ring. I told Leah I was visiting Ohio to help my father’s company with some computer issues. After I returned from Ohio, I told Leah that I wouldn’t have an engagement ring until sometime in late August, and that I wanted to plan something special, which would take some time. I also asked her if she wanted to take a day trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, August 4. We love Portsmouth so, of course, she said yes.

I researched everything I could about Portsmouth to find a beautiful and memorable spot for the proposal. I chose the gardens of Prescott Park, which are quite stunning, and planned our day around that location. When we arrived at Prescott Park, I quickly ascertained that there was a country music festival going on that weekend. The park was noisy and crowded, and country music was blaring from nearby speakers. I was not amused.

We took pictures of the beautiful gardens and then decided to leave. We sat on a bench on a pier overlooking the harbor. I tried my best not to be discouraged. We talked about the town and how much we liked it. Leah mentioned that one of her co-workers loves nearby New Castle Island. I suddenly remembered from my research that there was a picturesque lighthouse in New Castle, and I suggested that we drive to the island to see the sights.

We parked at the United States Coast Guard station and walked the short distance to the site of Fort Constitution. The lighthouse sits just beyond the fort. We climbed some stairs to an old watch tower to get a view of the lighthouse, and took a few pictures of the lighthouse and each other. This was my opportunity. I had been keeping the ring buried in the camera bag, which was now on the ground at Leah’s feet. I told her that I needed something out of the bag, and got down on one knee to remove the ring box from its hiding place. Leah still had no idea what was about to happen.

I looked up at Leah and took her hand. Her eye’s widened and she said, “You’re kidding me!” She began to cry, she was so excited. There, amid the overgrown remains of a 300-year old British fort, a picturesque lighthouse, members of the U.S. Coast Guard carrying M16s, and cannons being fired to mark the time (4 p.m.), I asked Leah to marry me, and she said yes.