The end of the beginning part 3: The Surprise

With the Subaru packed, the apartment clean, The Lasagna waiting in the fridge, and the sun shining perfectly through the bay windows; it was time. Though his last SF date plan was replaced with packing and despite his sleep deprivation Adam knew that it was time.

He held Helen’s hands and told her to close her eyes, while he recounted some of their favorite San Francisco memories. He then got on one knee as she opened her eyes. In his sleep deprived state he proceeded to forget the second half of his speech, but Helen intuited his meaning; exclaiming “Yes!” before he even asked the question. Tears were flowing as Adam opened the box and the ring sparkled in the sunlight, almost as brightly as the love in Helen’s eyes. 

Helen, certain the proposal wouldn’t happen until after our Southeast Asia trip and potentially not until next summer, gazed at the ring unable to find her breath. She had picked out the setting a couple months ago, but seeing it in its final form, in our favorite place, on our final day, at our favorite time, and with our favorite person was more than a lovestruck Helen could process. There was an overwhelming sense of emotional closure to the completion of this chapter in our lives that couldn’t be captured in words; so Helen simply said “Yes, I love you.”

Newly betrothed and ready to take on more adventure, we grabbed The Lasagna and drove to Palo Alto to surprise Susan and James. As we walked in the door Helen waved her sparkly finger and Susan’s eyes widened. She looked at Adam and then at Helen and exclaimed an astonished “Oh My God!” Susan embraced Adam, welcoming him to the family, stating “This is all I’ve ever wanted!” That night we popped a bottle of champagne, ate The Lasagna, and even snuck in a little hot tub time. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to say goodbye.

In the morning we set off to Chicago, ultimately driving 30 hours over 3 days. While certainly a long road trip, it was made easier by the occasional glance at Helen’s ring sparkling in the sunlight and an audiobook, The Blade Itself, playing in the background. Once in Chicago we surprised Adam’s family. Joe recounted his proposal to Chaitasi and how he proposed after she’d finished an 8 hour test; joking that the Collins’ like to propose when you’re at your most stressed. 

Next stop, Miami, to visit Adam’s brother Wesley and his partner Koko before heading off to Korea.