This way to happiness or who needs water?

Georgia and I arrived in Portland on Saturday June 21st, the following day would be our nine month anniversary. That I decided would be the day to pop the question. We started early with breakfast at the By Ways Cafe and wandered around downtown for a while before hopping the light rail to Washington Park. I was anxious all morning with the ring bouncing around in the large pocket of my cargo shorts. Georgia had a tendency to reach in my pockets when she needed a tissue or lip balm, so I was on the lookout from the get-go. At one point she came dangerously close, but I quickly snatched her hand away and gave it a kiss hoping she wouldn't be suspicious. She didn't seem to notice and we continued on our way.

I hadn't decided exactly where to ask her, I just knew I wanted to do it that day, I wanted to do it in the park, and I wanted it to be memorable. When we arrived at the park we first headed to the Japanese Gardens. A distinct possibility I thought, but as we wandered around the babbling brooks, foreign tableaus, and Zen garden I realized it was way too crowded and our private moment would turn into a public spectacle. I even lingered for a moment with her on a bench in a shady secluded spot, but decided it just wasn't right.

After the Japanese Gardens, we headed to the Rose Test Garden where hundreds of varieties of roses thrived and blossomed. It seemed promising. There were some secluded spots and one in particular jumped out at me. The Shakespeare Garden. Nothing says romance like the Bard. I guided Georgia in that direction but was disappointed to find it inhabited by children and lounging couples. No good.

We picnicked in the amphitheater and I toyed with the idea of making a big spectacle by doing it on the center stage, but thought better of it. Georgia wasn't the type.

After lunch, we started back for the train. Time was running out and the ring was still in my pocket and not on Georgia's finger where it belonged. We meandered back to the station on a different route than our one out. I was hoping to find a spot with a dramatic vista and no people. At one point we stopped on a bench, out of breath and drenched with sweat. There was no one around, but we sat facing a storm drain, hardly romantic. Would I ever find the right spot?

We headed up hill and came upon a parking lot. Not sure of the correct route back we checked the map and Georgia spotted a visitor center just down the road from the parking lot. "Wanna stop for water?" she asked wiping the sweat from her brow. "No," I gasped, looking at the map while trying to figure out which path would lead me to the spot. "Are you sure?" she asked. "You look like you need it." "Yep," I panted, "Let's go up the hill." "Can't we just go around?" Georgia asked.

"No, let's go up the hill baby!"

I felt I was close. She shrugged her shoulders and followed me up the path. I was rewarded for my patience with a stunning vista overlooking Portland with Mt. St. Helen's clear in the distance. Only a few people milled around. I knew I was home free.

We walked to a grassy spot in the middle of the hill and sat down. My heart was racing and my palms were sweating. As people came and went, I anxiously awaited for a moment alone. I kept looking over my shoulder checking to see if more people were coming. Finally just one couple remained who were apparently looking for a lost earring or something of the sort. I laid back on the grass and composed myself. When I sat up, Georgia asked if I was ready to go. "Yep," I answered and unbuttoned the pocket of my shorts. I waited for what seemed like forever for her to get up first, which she finally did. As she stood up, I pulled the ring box out of my pocket, got on one knee and said, "I have a question." Georgia turned around and saw what I had in my hand and began to giggle, and giggle, and giggle. She grabbed my head and pulled me to her waist. When she finally subsided, I asked with a lump in my throat, "Will you marry me?" and opened the box. She said yes. It was the happiest moment of my life and I've been floating on a cloud ever since.