Weddingbee Blog

After graduating from law school, and having dated Mr. Jasmine for three and a half years, marriage was definitely on my mind. Luckily for me, it was on his mind too. We spent a few glorious afternoons looking at rings at jewelry stores on Michigan Avenue– an activity that never gets old. So needless to say, I knew a proposal was coming, I just didn’t know when.

Tne random Monday morning in March, Mr. Jasmine and I were chatting via Gmail Chat. We do this fairly often and I’m shocked I haven’t received an angry call from the work IT guy wanting to know why I’m on Gmail Chat all day. Anyway, he suggested we go to Bandera after work. Bandera is one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago– all warm, sophisticated ambiance and lovely views. I immediately agreed, my mind more on the delicious beef ribs than the romantic atmosphere.

We met in the concourse of my building after work that day and he suggested we go for a walk. That should have been a tip-off since Mr. Jasmine is not one for physical exertion of any kind, even meandering strolls. But I agreed happily and we went for a walk through Millennium Park. The day was lovely– all sunshine and warm breezes. It felt really lucky for a day in March to be so nice.

We walked through the park quietly, holding hands, until we came to a lone bench, with amazing views of the Chicago skyline in front of us and the park around us. Mr. Jasmine and I sat down and he cuddled me very close. He told me he loved me and leaned in and said, “Will you marry me?” I gasped– I knew he was going to propose, but who expects a proposal on a Monday? I wasn’t even wearing one of my nice proposal-ready outfits! Tears started streaming as he hugged me to his chest and pulled out the little blue box. He had bought me a gorgeous solitaire from Tiffany, an engagement ring I had ogled weeks previously. After spending a few teary-eyed moments on the bench (and receiving shouts of congratulations from bemused onlookers), we had a very romantic dinner at Bandera (and I had my beef ribs!).

It was a really beautiful moment– simple, sweet, and honest, which is one of the things I love about Mr. Jasmine. He rarely dresses his love up in anything extravagant or over the top– he expresses it earnestly, simply, and honestly. That’s exactly how his proposal was and I wouldn’t have it any other way.As thrilled as I was to be engaged (and as much as I wanted to delve headfirst into wedding planning), I knew I had to wait. We couldn’t be officially engaged until we had our families’ blessing. More on that to come…