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Frederick Engagement Stories
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Bride: Ellen Staub
Groom: Rick Smith
Mount Airy, Maryland
Rick and El’s Love Story
(Most Romantic Proposal)
I consider our engagement to be the best in the “Most Romantic Proposal,” category because our relationship was rekindled, quite by chance, after attending high school together twenty five years earlier. Back in 1984, while attending Wheaton High School, my fiancé, Rick Smith and I were just buddies!! We shared many laughs and always thought he was a great guy. It’s funny what life sends your way over the years and ironic that after twenty five years, miles apart, failed marriages, children, a heart surgery for Rick, etc., that I would end up marrying my best friend!! You could say that in an 80’s type of way, we went “Back to the Future!!”
Long story short, a class mate of ours posted a “get together” for people from our high school to meet at a local bar. At the time, I had just ended a long marriage and was feeling a bit down. My friends’ talked me into going and it turned out to be a life changing day for me. I had only been at the bar for about fifteen minutes, when my “husband to be,” came bouncing through the door. I was tickled to see him, as we always shared so many laughs and good times back in school.
When the night ended, we said our goodbyes’ and promised to keep in touch. “Everyone says this, I thought to myself,” and kind of put it in the back of my mind. To my surprise, a few days later, I heard from him via Facebook! He was inviting a small group of us to see a band in downtown Frederick. I didn’t respond until I received a message from him stating that the show had been canceled. I responded with, “what a shame.” At that point, he sent me a message asking me to go to dinner with him at Firestone’s!
What the heck, I thought! He’s been my “buddy,” for twenty five years. Sure, I’d love to go!
It was a cold December night when he picked me up for that fateful dinner. We arrived and were seated upstairs at a quaint table, overlooking downtown Frederick. Our conversation flowed smoothly and soon it was time to go. As we walked down Market Street, snowflakes began to fall. I know I didn’t want the night to end and I could sense that he didn’t either. This was the beginning of our love story…
We took our time getting to know each other again and getting used to each other’s lives. I had two kids, he had none. I had to make sure that he and my kids got along well. He had had a quintuple bypass the previous summer and needed me to know that his heart wasn’t as strong as it should be. I had fallen hard for this man and knew that we had reunited for a reason and that time, indeed was very precious to us.
A few Decembers’ went by and I was certain he was going to propose, just not sure when! Finally, one December night, on our anniversary, he announced that we had dinner reservations at Firestones’! I was so excited to be going back to where it all began for us. In all of the excitement and it being this close to Christmas, I didn’t have a clue as to what lay in store for me in the next hour.
As the hostess escorted us to our table upstairs, (yes, the one overlooking Market Street!), I noticed a beautiful, white flower arrangement with my name on it! Wow, I thought, he thinks of everything! As I read his sentiments in the card, I flashed back to that same feeling I had a few Decembers ago – at this very same place! With a tear in my eye, I looked at him and as we both looked out the window, once again, as it had during our first date, snowflakes began to fall! It was the most magical feeling ever…
When I thought it couldn’t get any better, our song, “Then,” by Brad Paisley started playing. As it played, he dropped to one knee and said, “We have been through so much together and have such a history. With the blessings from your parents and kids’, would you be my wife?” I didn’t hesitate to answer him. “It would be my pleasure, of course,” I replied. At that point, he placed my beautiful ring on my finger and we both cried.
The staff, who were in on the surprise, as well as the other diners’, all clapped! Just then, he announced that there was “one more surprise!!” As we walked down the stairs, our friends and family, all started clapping!! They had been waiting below, the whole time and watching to see when he proposed and gave me the ring!! A magical evening and a wonderful man to share the rest of my life with.
Rick Smith, I love you with all of my heart – Best friends’ for life and soon, I’ll forever be your wife…
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