The Greatest Surprise
Sadie Elliott

When I think back on the day I met him wearing a blue baseball cap, with his guitar perched on his knee, I am surprised. I think even in that moment, I knew it would be love. Perhaps, it happened when he looked past the other girls with bright laughter and sunlit hair, and said hello to me, that I understood I had found a friend among friends. He saw past the shy smile and soft voice, and sought me out for who I was, and who I would become. Every girl should be so lucky.

The remainder of our high school dating years flew by quickly. In college we grew together instead of apart, each learning more about ourselves and subsequently understanding the other better. Our hearts beat to the same steady rhythm, mellowing our differences and complimenting our strengths. As graduation approached, and our birth into true adulthood drew near, I became anxious. Friends were getting engaged and married left and right, and my own beloved seemed content to remain as we were.

Soon, friends and relatives began to pester us with questions. ìWhen are you getting married?î a great-aunt would croon. ìMaybe he doesnít really love you,î an acquaintance suggested. These phrases became a thorn in my side, and in his, although he had the luxury of planning and knowledge and secrets. ìDonít worry,î he would tell me ìI am planning a great surprise.î I was doubtful as to how great a surprise it could be and I pondered the possibilities, growing more impatient with the passing of summer months. I felt as though I was drowning in a sea of smiling faces and delayed hopes.

September arrived without ceremony, and I merrily suggested a trip out of the valley for our birthdays, which were a mere three days apart. He consented and I began to plan our mini-break with great delight, pouring over maps and picking out romantic places to eat. On the day we left, I threw some belongings into a bag haphazardly. We piled into his rusty, red Nissan Sentra, a familiar old friend, and headed towards Portland. He seemed quiet, but I brushed the thought aside like an old garment in the closet. He would never propose on our birthdays, I told myself. He has always said that would be too mushy. A few Smashing Pumpkin CDís later we arrived at the red brick house on Multnomah drive.

My grandparents were waiting at the kitchen window as always. They rushed out to greet us with open arms and quickly sat us down to eat lunch. Our soup and sandwiches quickly disappeared, the remaining time overflowing with laughter and significant glances at the clock. One joke in particular stands out, because at the time, I thought it was ridiculous. I had been discussing the rest of our trip up to Seattle and lamenting about the traffic we were sure to encounter. Colin piped up, ìAt least they donít drive on the wrong side of the road there!î At that statement, both he and my grandparents let out peals of laughter. I didnít get it, although that wasnít the first time his sometimes obscure British humor eluded me, so I shrugged it off and continued on with the conversation. I was used to taking lingering lunch breaks with my grandparents, so it was shocking when they suddenly stood up and announced that they had better get our bags into the trunk. I looked around with uncertainty pouring out of my eyes. My grandmother smiled, my grandfather smiled, and Colin smiled leading the way out into the garage. I peppered them with questions, receiving no answers as they gathered our bags into the Buick and drove towards the airport. The only thing my sweetheart would say to me was, ìToday is the day.î

At the airport, I was ushered in by my grandmother who knowing my hesitation to the sudden change in plans, whispered in my ear, ìIt will be alrightî before whirling out the door like a fairy godmother. I was left standing in the middle of the airport, thoughts chasing each other by the tails, waiting for Colin who was seeing about our tickets. It would seem at this point that I would have guessed where we were going, because Colin had asked me to get a passport nine months earlier. However, being very much bewildered at finding myself about to embark upon my first plane ride, I simply followed the one I trusted with my heart as we made our way to the terminal. He was all smiles and even took a few pictures of my baffled expression. I knew the day had arrived, and was eager to see how it would end.

We boarded our plane that would take us to the Chicago airport and held hands as it carried us toward one of our greatest adventures. However, Chicago was not our destination, much to my reliefófor what did that city hold but the childhood home of his favorite musician. It was in the Chicago airport that I discovered our final destination. Just before boarding our second plane, the loudspeakers declared ìAll those boarding the flight to London, HeathrowÖî Tears immediately sprang to my eyes. He was taking me to the place I had wanted to visit most since I was a girlóEngland, home of my dreams! All I could think to say was, ìIs it true?î and he said, ìYes,î and hugged me tight as we found our seats. Although I have taken longer flights in duration since, that flight was by far the longest of my life. The hours seemed to drip by slowly and sleep eluded me. Thankfully, we arrived in a few short hours, in real time, and found our way to our hotel.

Colin was anxious to embark on the next part of his romantic plan, so we quickly changed clothes and headed back to the London underground station. When we emerged, we were standing looking up at St. Paulís Cathedral, beautiful and magnificent. As we entered, the sound of choirs filled the air. Light streamed through stained glass windows, seeming to slow the moments. We found our way up winding staircases and sat reflectively in the whispering gallery. Then he said the words my heart had longed to hear for five years, ìSadie, love of my life, beat of my heart, will you marry me?î What could I say but a resounding ìYes!î as he slipped the ring on my finger. We walked down the stairs hand in hand, each step bringing us closer to the beginning of our new life together, and heralding the love and friendship we had known for years.