Elise had been gone for about 5 weeks to the art workshops she attends in the summer time. While she was away I worked on creating a piece of art to pop the question with. The other grad students were in on it and helped me with figuring out what medium I should use, paper selection and ink color mixing. The design and color selection were all done by myself. I chose the frame and matting myself as well.
I had the print framed, matted, wrapped up in newspaper and hidden in the closet in my office when Elise arrived home a day earlier than expected on Saturday, July 26th. I didn’t want to bombard her immediately when she walked through the door as she had just driven about 6 hours. After she took a shower and relaxed for a couple hours I got a text from the grad students asking if I wanted to meet them for dinner and a drink (they didn’t know she was home early). I asked Elise if she was up for it and when she said she was I knew it was time.
I told her that I had a present for her and I had her sit on the sofa while I went and got it. I brought it over and kneeled down in front of her. I held onto it as she began to unwrap it. As soon as she had unwrapped enough to reveal the question I reached down and grabbed her hand. I looked at her and said “Elise Marie Robbins, will you marry me?” Her face lit up and she said “Of course I will!” She moved the print aside and we hugged and kissed, each of us a little misty-eyed.
I couldn’t be happier with how it went and we’re both very excited. We haven’t figured out a date yet, but as soon as we do you will all be the first to know.