So if you haevn't heard by now, PHILLIP ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!!!
That was my big surprise I was talking about, apparently. So the story? The pictures? The future? My thoughts on everything? Here it is....
Friday
I drove into Arlington and arrived at Phillip's apartment at 5. It was just early enough so that I could spend time with him before getting ready. I then showered at about 5:30. Then I shut the door in Phillip's room so I could get ready and truly stun him when I walked out. It worked. At 7:10, I walked out to see the love of my life with the best look on his face - love. He really liked the way I looked that night. :)
We left the apartment at 7:15. It was pouring down rain, but luckily I love rain and we had an umbrella. All of the night's events were still a surprise to me. I was expecting us to maybe go to a nice restaurant or steakhouse either in the Arlington Hilghlands area or back near home. So imagine my surprise when we veered off to 183 east. By this time I was lost and stopped guessing. As we entered downtown Dallas, the wonder was taking over and I just wanted to be wherever we were going.
There it was. The Hilton Anatole. I had heard many wonderful things about this hotel, but had never been inside. We pulled up to the valet (yes - valet!!), and got out. The hotel was beautiful and very impressive. Even the elevator was a piece of art. Everyone was dressed up, and as we rode the elevator to the 27th floor (the top), my stomach was filled with butterflies from intrigue and excitement.
We ate at Nana's restaurant. The food was delicious and expensive. My chair was pulled out for me, they placed my napkin in my lap, and everything had long and hard to pronounce names. I felt like a princess and a VIP at the same time. I must have had a smile on my face bigger than a kid in a candy store.
Drinks: We each had distilled water and iced tea - both in fancy glasses.
Appetizers: The chef gave us complimentary appetizers, I guess because he was trying a new creation. It was limeade with mint and cocanut. It was served cold and had a delicious froth on top.
Starter: Phillip didn't find anything he had wanted (probably nervous by this point), but I had a potato-like soup. A large spoonful of frothed sour cream was served in a fancy bowl, topped with flame-crisped chives. Tableside, they poured a creamed potato and milk mixture over the sour cream and chives. It was also served cold, which sounds weird, but it was still good. Beautiful presentation and I felt special having a "tableside presentation".
Main Course: Phillip had a NY Strip steak, marinated with a lemon sauce and served with parmesan and rosemary (i think??) french fries. Of course, they weren't called french fries in the menu, rather something like "crisp portioned potatoes" or something else fancy. My dinner was GREAT! I had grilled salmon on top of a sweet sauce that was drizzled on the plate. There were two mini lamb ribs, glazed in that same sweet sauce. All of that was served on top of carrots and sweet peppers sauteed with garbonzo beans. The salmon was so moist, but still cooked throughout, and the lamb meat literally fell off the bone.
I must also talk about the wonderful view from our table. We sat right near the window. It was a panoramic view of downtown Dallas. I could see all of the trademark buildings, along with reunion tower. To top it all off, the lightening cascading accross the sky added a great affect. I'd give that restaurant an A for atmosphere, and an A for food.
After dinner, we went back down to the valet and after getting in the car, Phillip started driving through Dallas. By this time, I figured we were headed to the place we'd be staying for the night. I was right. We drove up to the hotel. It was on the corner of Binchley and Hillcrest, right next to the SMU campus. GORGEOUS HOTEL.
We had valet parking again (yes, I was the princess that night!) and took my things up to the room. When I walked in the door, the room was the nicest I had ever seen. It was the most expensive Lux Suite with a kitchen, living room, huge bedroom, huge shower, and a balcony that wrapped around the entire corner suite. Phillip had also added a personal touch of 3 bouquets of flowers.
Phillip then decided that we needed to go on the balcony to take a picture of the two of us, since we hadn't earlier. So we werent out to the balcony. He set up his tripod and fancy camera. He tested the light, and then we started taking pictures. It took a couple of shots, but then we got a good one. Phillip then said we needed to take one more just in case. I agreed. He set the timer and walked over to where I was. Then, he dropped to one knee and said, "Will you marry me?" AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! I couldn't believe this was actually happening!! The flash went off in the midst of this, documenting that moment. The first words out of my mouth: "Oh my gosh!" I didn't cry, though I felt like I was going to. I was in shock, to the point of speechlessness.
The rest of the evening was filled with a champagne toast, spending some time together, and calling/texting all of our friends and family.
Saturday
I couldn't sleep at all Friday night. I was way too excited. So when 9:00 came, I got up. Phillip and I watched the rain outside the windows, and ate a great breakfast in bed. We were lucky enough to get complementary room service due to a slight, and minor, mix-up earlier. I had a bowl of fruit and a bagel, while Phillip had a bacon fritatta (spelling?) with rosemary potatoes and toast.
For lunch, we drove down the street to Burger House. It was a greasy indoor burger stand, that proved to be quite tasty. By the way, it was still pouring down rain at this point, which it did for the rest of the weekend without stop. But you know, I love rain!!
After lunch, we went to my parents' house to hang out for a little while. My parents were so excited and happy, though they had known of this whole plan for a couple of months. My whole family knew. I can't believe they kept this a secret from me!
During this time, I went to Manda's to show her my ring and talk to her, then went to Plato's Close to see Christine for the same reasons. There, I also got a dress for Saturday night.
After all of this, it was 5:00, so we had to go back to Arlington to get ready for the Hall of Honor banquet for UTA athletics. Phillip had to take pictures and Josh had to record for a story, so Ashley Stewart and I both went as dates. It was our first official outing as fiances. One of Phillip's coworkers even said, "So this is your girlfriend?" to which Phillip responded, "well, my fiance." EEEEEEKKK! :D
After the banquet, we changed and went with Josh and Ashley to see Extract at the Parks Mall. It was an okay movie, but hard to concentrate on when all of this exciting stuff was happening.
Sunday
We woke up Sunday morning, and got ready rather quickly. We then headed to Phillip's parents' house to visit with them and watch the game. We had chilli dogs. Phillip's mom gave me a wedding magazine, a very thoughtful card welcoming me to the family, and money to go get a manicure.
At half time, we went to see Phillip's grandmother down the street and spend some time with her. Then it was back to my house to see my second and third sets of families (very close family friends) who were at my house for the game. After making our rounds, Phillip said goodbye.
I visited some more, then went with my big sister to get my nails done since I don't trust anyone here in College Station. We talked a lot and had a great time. Then it was back to my house for visiting before leaving to go back to school.
My heart was breaking the entire drive back. I have never missed him so much, never loved him this much. This weekend was such a growth experience, and I was not ready to leave him again. But luckily I get to see him in 9 days for 6 days straight!
The Future
We are still planning on getting married in the summer of 2011. For the next 6-9 months, all we have to do is enjoy being engaged, possibly book the prospective venues, and have an engagement party. The hardcore planning doesn't start until this next summer with dress shopping!! I'm excited, but realize it'll be a lot of work.
I'm beyond happy. I'd say I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. He makes me so happy and I feel so much love from him. I can't wait to be Mrs. Ashley Nicole Long. It's still a while away, but I'm definitely a big step closer. I love my fiance!!!
FYI: mom and dad didn't know until monday night before the proposal...only i knew a couple of months ahead, and i told samantha at the family reunion. hehehe
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