She Said Yes!?
Now how could I question that my true love said yes when I asked her to marry me? We started out as friends, quickly became "likers," progressed into courtship and were cantapulted into being intended. It was a tale straight out of a movie, but I still had doubt.Each time I looked into her eyes I could see our future. Those pools of brown goodness surging in the ebb and flow of love, honor, respect and thankfulness to God that she had finally found the "One." I looked back at her still pinching myself that He actually gave me the chance to love someone with everything I have, so how could I still doubt that she would say yes.
It was frustrating, downright illegal that I felt that way, but it was the truth. No one ever knows what lurks in the back of someone's mind when they are looking at and saying things to you. But I had to learn to trust again, to love again to believe again.
So on a dreary Saturday morning I picked up my love and we drove 4.5 hours to Savannah, GA and Tybee Island, GA. When we reached Savannah it looked like it was going through a hurricane, so we continued on to Tybee Island...smart! We drove over marshes teaming with coastal beauty only seen in the South. We reached the island not as tired as expected, but almost giddy. This was our first and last time going away together. It was the first as girlfriend and boyfriend, but its last.
We passed by a few shops and stopped in for bathroom breaks and to shop the local bazaar. She found a beautiful saroong outfit. I found hidden nervousness as I tried to strategize how to pop the question. We drove through the village of Tybee Island, around the corner and parked at a little street leading to the beach.
She was radiant bounding from the car with exhuberance. Excited that she was staring at a vast ocean with her love by her side. I could only admire her. We walked along the beach perspiring from the heat, cooled by the rain and seasoned by the salty sea air. We stopped at a cropping of rocks to lay our things down and observe the water. Then she decided that we should go back so she could change. I agreed, but started to silently pray as I felt the urge to ask her for her hand begin to rise within me. We returned, she got dressed and we walked back to our spot. Finally, I wispered to God for guidance and all He said was "NOW." Red alert, red alert! Please return all facial expressions and gestures to their upright and neutral positions.
"Oh God why now?! Really, oh my God in Heaven, why now?"
"Because she doesn't suspect a thing and she's happy to be here because you are here."
(Blink, blink, question mark face) "Alrighty, let's do it."
I say I forgot something and run back to the car. I grab the ring and a towel. Trying not to run with a ring in my hand, I put it in my back pocket and regain my composure. My heart was starting to pound and I was strolling, no longer running. I reached her and was greeted with a smile, thankful that I brought a towel to keep us dry...somewhat. I went to her and held her. We play danced in the surf, walking deeper and deeper into the shallows. Water crashed against the towers of our legs. My heart roared louder than the old man that is the sea. I ask her, my genie, for three wishes of marriage...jokingly. All responses were met with a yes...jokingly.
Suddenly the doubt that told me to stop was silenced by the affirmation of three sweet words, "I love you." They rang truer than anything I have every seen, heard, felt, touched, tasted or internalized before. I looked at her with eyes full of passion and asked her one last time...seriously. She looked up at me with eyes now full of bewilderment, basically saying "WTF!" I get down on both knees submitting myself to the love that God has placed in my heart for her and ask with a ring dazzling in my hand, "Georgette Ilunga-Kulu Mulunda, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
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While I kneeled there waiting, she was jumping up and down with joy that the day had finally come. Trying not to drop the ring while being pounded by waves, I ask again, out of desperation of avoiding losing the ring. She finally calmed down and said the word I've been waiting for..."Yes!"
"She said yes? She said yes?! Hell yeah, of course she said yes! Praise God!" I put the ring on her finger, scooped her up and shouted HALLELUJIAH to my God above. My love had said yes. Was there any doubt! ;)
