With the wedding season fast upon us, it has gotten me to thinking about proposals. Why is it that as women, we immediately go dreamy eyed when we talk about marriage proposals? Is it Hollywood that makes us that way or is it that we dreamed of ours since the age of two?
My husband proposed to me at an employee Christmas party. It was totally unexpected. Not the proposal just the method. I think creativity and spontaneity is the key in proposals to making them lasting memories.
My proposal was completely unpredictable. My husband was nervous all night and I could not understand why. We had Secret Santas. I knew my husband was not my secret Santa, so I would have never thought he would have proposed that way. Makes sense, right? Well, he made a deal with my secret Santa. I remember opening my box (I was last to open too, which made me a little uncomfortable since everyone was staring) and it being a closed box of checkers. So I said thank you to my Secret Santa and put it on the table. Everyone was screaming for me to open the box of checkers and make sure that was the gift.
When I opened the box, there was a ring box taped to the inside with a sign that said “will you marry me." I was confused as to why my Secret Santa was asking me to marry him until my husband dropped to his knees in front of God and everyone. Ok, so even now I tear up. I have to admit it was very creative and very unexpected.
I think proposals will always be memorable because of what they are, but why not melt her in your arms with a proposal to outdo all proposals. I decided to make a list of creative ways to propose in an effort to get your creative juices flowing and make the day one that she will want to relive every day.
For the sports fan
OK, how many times have we seen this on the big screen? I can honestly say I would totally marry the guy who asked me at a Major League baseball game. Being the huge Astros fan that I am, I looked into this. It only costs $30 to put the message on the big scoreboard. What a memorable moment captured by every news station! And it takes a lot of courage to propose in front of 30,000 witnesses!
For the sensual woman
Spend the day at the spa with her. Buy massages, facials, etc for the two of you. Then at the end of the night when you are having a nice romantic candlelit dinner, give her a gift basket of lotions, oils, perfume, candles and, of course, have the ring box in the center.
For the curious woman
Is your girlfriend the type who tries to guess and figure out surprises before they occur? Make the proposal a scavenger hunt. Have a Polaroid camera and take pictures of different places that she must go. For instance, when she first walks in have a picture of a favorite park or place and tell her to look for clue number two at that place. Second, have a rose or some sort of sentimental gift with a second picture waiting for her. Continue this until you have a picture of you in a restaurant on your knees holding the ring box. What would be fun would be to time her from that place to the final place. This is great because the excitement continues to build.
For the news junkie
Take out an advertisement in the local paper or billboard. I know this is more of the expensive route, but make sure you are there serving her breakfast and the local paper or driving her past the billboard so she knows it is for her.
For the adventure seeker
Who says you can’t propose while jumping out of an airplane or climbing a rock wall or shooting paintballs? If it is what she loves, bring it into a whole new light. She will love it even more knowing that it was doing such and such when she got engaged.
Get personal
Do you have a place that is sentimental to the both of you? I have a girlfriend whose husband proposed to her at the exact spot he asked her out for the first time 10 years before. My husband and I used to sneak and meet in the courtyard when we were in college. It was super romantic and secluded. Is there a favorite park that you spend most of your time as a couple? Does she love Mexican food? Remember what it is that makes her tick and make that a part of the moment.
Proposals don’t have to cost a fortune. They just have to be creative and personal. I am sure there are countless romantic, creative proposals out there. Do some research, but remember make it your own. You know your future fiancé the best, do something to make her melt.
For those already married, share your stories in the comment thread below. Who knows, you can inspire millions or at least give us women something to feel gooey inside about followed with that “AWWW" coming from our mouths.
