Many people around the world have been partying it up all weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day (or "Paddy's Day" as my genuine Irish friends actually call it). My dad is also celebrating given that today is his 53th birthday. Although these alone are great reasons for me to join in the celebrations, I happen to have an additional excuse. Today also happens to mark the first anniversary since I officially proposed to my beautiful wife on that Thunderbird Express train to Kyoto.
I remember that Friday night well. Fedex had finally arrived with the engagement ring sent out from Vancouver. Kaori came over to my place after work and we agreed to go out for dinner somewhere. "Where do you wanna go?" I remember asking. "Surprise me!" she replied. And that I did. I drove to the train station, parked the car, took her by the hand and asked her to follow me. I purchased two train tickets bound to Kyoto and off we went. I realize that most guys spent a lot of time trying to figure out what's the best way to propose and probably go over the different scenarios a thousands times. They may even ask for advice here and there. Not me. I planned nothing. We just got on that train and I went with it. It was packed. There was nowhere to sit; it was rush hour after all. We walked from car to car looking for a set of free seats. Nada. Consequently, we reached that one special car where there are no seats. There's simply a wide standing area with a big window and the WC restrooms. We decided to opt for the corner closest to the window. The sun had already set. All we could see was a glimpse of the forest as the train chugged its way under a beautiful full moon and a clear sky.
Then, in that instant, I decided the time had come. I had been carrying the ring in its leather box in one of my coats large pockets. I wanted to take it out without her noticing, but it was just to difficult to open the box with one hand. I decided to tell her I need to go to the restroom for a sec. As soon I entered it, I took a good look at myself in the mirror. I remember thinking to myself, "WOW man, this is it... can you believe this is happening?" I always told myself I wouldn't get married till my late 20's or early 30's... if at all! And there I was. I took the box out. I wasn't nervous, I was simply just surprised that this was actually happening. All of a sudden, in the very instant that I was taking the ring out of the box, the train seemed to have taken a tight corner as it entered a tunnel. I almost lost my balance. To make matters worse, the ring briefly left my hand and as it slowly made it's way through the air just over the toilet in what seemed like a slow motion film, I quickly reached out to catch it and put into one of my jeans' pockets. "HOLY F!" I remember whispering to myself. The time had come.
I came out and headed in Kaori's direction. There she was. Looking amazing as she stood in that corner looking out the window. I reached her from behind, took the ring out with my right hand and casually slipped it into her "ring finger". At first she didn't notice. Perhaps the scenery was much more enchanting. Nevertheless, in a matter of seconds she noticed the bling as the moonlight began glittering from her finger. Before she could say anything I got down on my knee and uttered the same four words that so many fortunate men have said before me.
You know how it goes... and of course her answer was "YES!"... no actually it was "Of course I will," but you get the idea. And there we were, in a train packed full of strangers in the only car without people, staring out the window knowing we had just taken a life-changing turn in the way our lives would unfold. The full moon continued to shine as if acknowledging its approval.
The evening went on. We arrived to Kyoto station. We took a bus to Gion. We headed to an excellent Italian restaurant for an evening of fine food and red wine and eventually took the train back to my place. I should note that Kaori seemed to have paid more attention to her new ring than to me during both the dinner and the ride home, but then again I can't blame her. It is a beautiful ring, besides, that's exactly what most women experience whenever their man is starring down at his smartphone when they're out at a restaurant... haha.
Suffice to say that this weekend is indeed very special. The thing I can't get my mind wrapped around is the fact that both Kaori and I could have never imagined that evening that exactly one year from then, we would be sitting here at our new place, married, with a beautiful baby boy who is just about to celebrate his one-hundred day of life.
All I can say today is that I'm very happy and proud of the life I've decided to have. Frankly, I couldn't have pictured a more perfect way to spend the rest of my days than in the company of these two beautiful human beings.
As I often say, "thank you for the privilege Universe".
I hope you too got to enjoy many of the weekend's celebrations. :)
