"Anniversaries"

Today is one-and-a-half years since I asked Mercedes to marry me, and she said Yes.  I therefore want to share how our engagement took place on August 6th, 2017!!

Well, we had been dating exactly three months, and I already knew (weeks earlier) that I wanted her to be my wife so I bought Mercedes an engagement ring.  For strategic purposes which are too complex to reveal (Lol), I decided to tell Mercedes IN ADVANCE that I was going to propose to her, but I didn't say when or how.  (Even *I* didn't know when or how, Lol!!  I just knew that I would!!)

Her response was that she wanted to be SURPRISED when it happened, which presented somewhat of a challenge because she and I knew my proposal WOULD happen.  (I should also point out that I fully expected her to say "Let's wait" when I proposed, and I informed her that I'd KEEP asking, at intervals, on subsequent occasions, till she said "Yes."  However, I secretly wondered "How will I be able to KEEP surprising her if she declines my FIRST try?") I hid the ring in the glove compartment of my car for about a week leading up to the day I saw my opening and actually popped The Question.

That day was a SUNDAY, and the pastor asked Mercedes and me to fill in for Julius and Thelma (an esteemed older couple from our church) assisting with a BAPTISM, as they were on vacation.  It was the first time that Mercedes and I were involved in the same public ministry together as we helped those exiting the baptismal pool.  It was a profound honor to fill in for Julius and Thelma as they are ALSO interracial, but their love was formed in a time when such couples were looked down upon much more than they are today, yet their love has survived and thrived with God's blessing.  The photo above was taken on that very morning, at our church, so you can see how happy we both were!!

That evening after church, Mercedes and I had to return the laundered garments we wore during the baptism.  We were all alone when we pulled in front of the church building, but a friend of hers (NOT from our church) Providentially saw us parked and pulled about 15 feet behind us.

Mercedes got out and started chatting with her girlfriend who she hadn't seen in awhile, and I spontaneously saw my opportunity!! I took the ring and carefully placed the box under the bottom of my car (on the passenger side), pretending I was checking for a fluid leak. When my Dearest was DONE chatting, she returned and sat in her seat, and I then "checked the pavement, looking for leaks" again, under where she sat. I brought the ring up and SHOCKED Mercedes by handing it to her and asking her to marry me. 

She started crying and insisted that "the box must be empty, it's a joke" but I said "open it" and she did. The expression on her face was PURE shock, but it was a JOYOUS shock, and she immediately said "Yes!!!!!," which shocked ME !! (Again, I expected her to DECLINE the first time but in retrospect, I'm glad she didn't because A.)   I don't think I could surprise her more than she was surprised THAT time and B.)   I realized later that I was on TWO knees when I handed her the ring!! What could I do for an encore?? I only have two knees, Lol!!)

Mercedes and I are confident, joyous and grateful that the same God Who has blessed Julius and Thelma all of these decades will bless OUR marriage, as WELL....as He HAS been blessing us.  We were married last April 28th.

Today is ALSO the anniversary of the birth of TWO of my all-time favorite men!!  Both of these American icons were born on this day, over 100 years ago.

1.) Babe Ruth.  Mercedes and I visited his Museum as we were passing through Maryland on our Honeymoon!! (It was my THIRD trip there.) If you ever want to see a GREAT baseball movie, check out "The Babe," with John Goodman.  Babe Ruth was legendary.  And, today is also the anniversary of the birth of...

2.) President Ronald Reagan.   "The Gipper" was the greatest President of MY lifetime and one of the best of ALL time.  Mercedes served under him proudly while in the Air Force, and I was thrilled when he visited my hometown in 1985 shortly after he was re-elected after winning 49 out of 50 states.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!