the engagement


Jason's story...

Around noon-thirty on Saturday, November 12, I picked up Kimberly for an outing in Burbank. Meanwhile, Brittany and Bryan were already on location, hiding in the boutique across the way from the proposal scene. 


We arrived, parked, and began walking along San Fernando towards our supposed restaurant destination. Coming very near to the real location, I realized we were on the wrong side of the street coming up to the vintage boutique where Brittany and Bryan were hiding! This being the exact type of store Kimberly loves, she spotted it right away and pointed out the shop window.  As she began to head towards it, I looked across the street just in time, spotted the real location and asked (innocently), "What's that?  Is that a photo booth?" As you probably already Kimberly has always had a love of old, authentic photo booths--the kind that still use developing chemicals and come out all wet and smelly and a little grainy. As expected, her curiosity was instantly piqued and we quickly crossed the street to check out the old fashioned photo booth. Disaster averted!

Upon entering the booth, we deliberated upon four poses for the photographs as I nervously prepared myself. Wanting to make sure our photographers were in place, I stalled for time. Kimberly was a little confused, but did not suspect what was about to happen. Once assured that Brittany and Bryan were in place, we put in the money and we struck our first and second poses. 

Instead of striking our third pose, I turned to Kimberly and simply asked, "Kimberly, will you marry me?" I heard a surprised laugh and saw her beaming smile just as the third photo flashed. She answered, "Yes, yes!" and I kissed her just in time for the fourth photo: 


As our photos developed, I took the ring out of my inconspicuous Fresh & Easy bag and placed it on her finger.  

Kimberly had an idea of what her dream ring would look like and began to search a while ago knowing it was quite specific and might not even exist out there.  She wanted something white gold, asymmetrical, and featuring a rose. She has never been much of a gemstone person and loves intricate metalwork. So, when she found this ring, we both felt it was perfect with its subtle sparkling touches of four small diamonds. The rose is made from rose gold, which is soft peach in color, and the asymmetrical, delicate vines are simply idyllic.



After I placed the ring on her finger, I dramatically pulled the curtain back to reveal Brittany and Bryan capturing the moment like paparazzi and heard Kimberly's joyous exclamation of surprise.



So so so happy!


In the photo slot, Kimberly found two photo strips strategically placed there after she and I had entered the booth:


Further documentation of my proposal was made and we walked across the street to meet the shop owner who had excitedly let Brittany and Bryan use his shop as their stakeout.

(I know, I know, it's not a super close shot of the ring- but just wait until you see it in person!!!)




Brittany and Bryan departed and we went to lunch at a little Italian cafe. As we sat down, I fished in my Fresh & Easy bag once again, and presented Kimberly with a 60-piece kiddie puzzle.

It should be noted that on our first official date, following dinner at Petrillo's, we went to the Santa Anita Mall during a rainstorm in search of a 1000+ jigsaw puzzle only to find that the entire mall lacked all but a couple of 60-piece kiddie puzzles in the Hallmark store. Thoroughly disappointed, we had Dippin' Dots as a consolation, and laughed about our "unsuccessful" adventure.

And so, I had returned to the same Hallmark store and purchased a puzzle. After putting it together on the restaurant table, we flipped it over to read a special letter I had written on the back, recalling the adventure of our first date and the adventures yet to come.

 
 
I also wrote the letter beneath a sheet music excerpt of the first song I first sang to Kimi:


Wouldn't it Be Nice?
The Beach Boys

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong

You know its gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through

Happy times together we've been spending
I wish that every kiss was neverending
Wouldn't it be nice

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true
Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married
And then we'd be happy

 


The rest of the day was a blur of walking around downtown Burbank, picking up some pastries for home, and stopping by Kimberly's parents' house to watch the documentation of what Brittany had filmed. Coming soon to theatres near you.

We look forward to sharing our happiness with all of you in person. Your support has been- and continues to be- so meaningful to us. 

Happyhappyhappy!  WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!