Day of days...

Brendan's Point of View:

We had been talking about engagements for some time, and rings and everything, and so I knew that she expected something in the not too distant future... And to top it all off we were going to Paris that weekend.

So two reasons why I decided to pre-empt Paris and ask her before. First, she was probably suspecting Paris... and second, I didn't want to ruin possibly the first day or two of Paris with both of us constantly thinking about if this is the spot, or right moment. Paris would make a great engagement weekend enjoying the moment, not constantly looking ahead.
But I still wanted to give her some hint that the day was special because I didn't want it completely to be out of the blue or happen too fast that she could hardly remember it.
So I planned a whole day of things for us.
It began with breakfast in bed... fruit and yogurt, french toast, tea, and a little note saying that I want to be there to serve and help her in her life.
After breakfast I gave her a massage for her neck... massage oil, scented candles, and nature sounds - rain forest.. haha... and gave her another note saying that I want to be the one to comfort her.
After that I gave her another note saying that I want her to be the one I do stuff with, and enjoy things with. And all afternoon we just hung out, ate food, played darts, played cards, played games, and just talked.
Then I told her to dress well, I put on a sport jacket, and we went out for a really nice Italian meal. I gave her a note saying that I wanted to share special times with her and treat her well.
I figured she might be thinking that something is up by now... and if she suspected that something was up then she also suspected that I had some sort of plan as we came back to my place. But I doubt she could have ever expected note #5... Protect her.
On the way I talked about how North Tilburg, while not dangerous, is not exactly 100% safe either. Then somehow we started playing the 'what would you do if...' game and I asked her 'what would you do if' someone tried to mug her? ... seed planted... When we got back and parked my plan was to have my friend jump out and start yelling at us from a distance, walking towards us... I would put her behind me, and as he got close I would give her my last note. She would realize that it was all staged and she wouldn't be scared, but at the same time it wouldn't register too fast for the whole 'show' to be too fake and cheezy.

BUT

My friend came too fast and I didn't have time to give her the note. He pushed me, and faked to throw a punch. I stood up and 'fake' punched him and he fell over. Only after did I turn and give her the note that read in big letters, "I WANT TO PROTECT YOU!" Then my buddy got up smiling and shook hands and patted me on the back and headed off.
We went for a walk, talking about the year and everything and how crazy it was how everything worked out. Wrong first impressions, with coincidences, with distance, and with everything we've gone through together. I told her that everything I showed her in action today is what I want to be for her the rest of my life. Then I asked her to marry me.

Danelle's Point of View:

I slept on the couch that night because it was the only room in Brendan's apartment that wasn't 90 degrees. I was awoken from an amazing dream of warm beaches and hot sand (unlike iceberg Tilburg) when Brendan brought me breakfast in couch? It was my favorite of course and add all the right cold remedies along with a note that he ever so gently placed on my hot tea (just to make sure I didn't miss it) . We then listened to a sermon together and it was about the "highway to holiness". He then told me that he will give me a massage. So he set the mood for a relaxing, surreal, spa like room and I made fun of his rain forest music and tried to guess what animals were chirping. A Chupacabra maybe?... or a Puma...! then he gave me a note to read again. It was numbered so, this is where I caught on that there would be a few. We played darts, and poker and Brendan gave me another amazing note. Brendan was in his room getting ready and I was in the living room on the computer. He came out and asked me if I was getting ready. I didn’t know that we had “big” plans for dinner so I was really under dressed. I think by this time I mentioned to him twice that he was being sooo nice! We got in the car and he gave me yet again another super sweet note and went Downtown for some Italian. On the way Brendan almost hit a car. I def. thought he was acting nervous. We had great talk at dinner and headed home. By this time I was thinking ok... well... maybe he is just wants me to think he is going to ask and clearly he isn’t. So we drive home and we go to park and he parks the farthest away from the door as he possibly can (to see if his car wouldn’t frost as bad on this side of the lot!? I can't believe I fell for that...) when we get to the door to go in. this guy in a hood walks up yelling in Dutch and Brendan is yanking on my hand to get behind him. I thought back to our talk in the car... and here this guy just walks up fast and the next thing I know he is on the ground. I was sooo scared and my heart was racing. Then Brendan turns around laughing and I didn't know why until he gave me his last note. I sat on the curb laughing almost wanting to cry. Then his friend leaves and we walk around the park outside. We re-cap the year and Brendan got down on one knee...

and I said YESSSSS!!!