 | The moment I knew I was ready to propose to Shavonna was after my 26th Birthday Party. We had quite the night and after the dust settled, lol I knew I had a keeper. She put up with me and my antics, and still stayed by my side. Of course, before I decided to get the ring, I knew I had to speak with not only Cynthia, my mother, but also to Vanessa and Shawn, the future In-Law's.
Well let's just say I jumped the gun a little bit and purchased the ring, with a prayer that everything would go as planned. I mean, come on now, who can resist a fine specimen of a gentlemen such as myself, lol. So finally making plan to propose right at midnight on Shavonn's birthday, I decided to speak with Cynthia. Of course, that was easy, she was happy and loved that I had finally found the right one and one that she was more than happy to welcome into the family. Well the next step was to ask the future in laws. In my mind I really wanted to speak with them both at the same times, but the ring was burning a hole in my pocket and I was nervouse my superior hiding skills would be no match for Shavonna, I asked Vannessa if she could hold her "Birthday Gift" for me. Well of course not thinking and just letting the ring burn a hole in my pocket, I totally didn't realize that she would definitely know what was in this small square jewlery box lol. So as we pull up into the house, my timing just happened to get worse lol. Two other women of the family happen to pull up as I was about to talk to Vanessa about the ring. Well it all turned into tears and excitment. I told them of course and Jayda (who we all thought was going to tell or slip up and say something, but thank god she didn't, well at least not yet lol). Now the only one left.... Big Shawn, the future Father in Law.
I figured I should go about this one with a little more distance and save all of my energy and nerves for one moment. So what was the easiest way to open up the door of communication... Text Message. I don't think you all understand how long it took me to text a simple, "Hey, it's Rob. Are you goin to be around the house later so we can talk" message. I wrote, deleted, reworded, deleted and wrote again for what seemed to be a million times. As I anxiously awaited the a response, time stood still. Great, he text'd back and just as I expected a short and to the point "Sure, I'll be free tomorrow before a certain time. Vanessa said you had to talk to me about something." That just added to my nervous gitters. Well, at least I can have the assistance and support of my best man Trevor. We take off the next day, a little bit earlier than the appointed time, gotta be on time lol. I sit in the car as he parks nd catch my breath. With a little bit of pressure and pep talk from Trevor, I exit the car and walk into what I am to believe a modified scene from Bad Boys 2.
As Big Shawn is handling things around the house, I sit in the kitchen talking with Jayda and Grandma Liz, praying that this will go nice and smooth. Well as the time comes, he asks if I'm ready and proceeds to invite me into... THE BASEMENT! Now I'm slightly panicking. Who in their right mind goes down into the basement, closed door and all with the father of the woman he's dating. Well of course me, but with thoughts of movie plots and story lines that do not end well with young men and fathers going into basements. Well needless to say, it was definitely a humbling experience, our conversation was really positive and a blessing, I think one for me to show what kind of man I can be for his daughter and for me to understand and connect on different level than the usual the the two of us.
Skipping to Decemeber 30th, 2013. The plan is set, the important people are at the lounge and the stage is practically set. I have to patiently wait for midnight entering into her birthday, but I was ready propose as soon as she entered her Birthday Dinner with Justine. 11:50.... Oh god how am I going to do this.... 11:52.... I need to go to the bathroom and rehearse one more time.... 11:55.... Damn that rehearsal went too fast.... 11:58... Go cue the Dj..... 12:00!
I swear for those 2 minutes of my life, everything that I had planned to say succumbed to her elegance and soft eyes. I remember getting down on one knee and letting my heart do all the talking. At right when I thought my heart skipped a beat... SHE SAID YES! I remember seeing her crying and hearing all the clapping and excitement and hearing the intro to Ginuwine's Pony playing in the back ground, which by the way was at the DJ's discreation. |