12 July 2007

love takes flight

i floated in the clouds, writing in my notebook at my tiny table in the sky. i gradually flew down to take a bird's eye view of the city. i could see the outline of Great Salt Lake, the summer greenery of a familiar mountain range and the intersecting lines of the land i call home. as i have been accustomed to doing when i fly in an airplane, i smiled at the window. at my reflection. at my home sweet home. at the opportunities ahead. riding in an airplane is like pressing pause in Life. i love to be in the seat, on the spot, in the moment, to just sit and think. considering the road ahead, take out the maps and plan the journey. i try to pay attention to the nothingness before i step into the busy streets, the hustle, the noise, the madness. what are my plans, what's my next stop, where am i going? this is not only helpful for my trip itinerary, but for my life, in general.

it was july 12, 2001. i touched up my makeup for probably the first time ever in my short history of life and a scattering of happy butterflies flurried inside me. i knew he would be there, waiting at the gate. i wore white cropped jeans that were brand new from Nautica in New York. i loved them and they were still crisp & clean. i wore a black Swiss Army watch on my left wrist, an easy summer H&M tee, itty bitty silver hoop earrings, and new espadrille sandals, made of white eyelet cloth, on my tanned feet. i had my lucky pocketknife in my Mountain Smith pack, which lay at my feet on an airplane which i had not even hesitated to board.

this was before 9/11. before the attack on an infamous day which had been costumed in a 'regular day' cloak. that morning, shirts were ironed, shoes were tied, bowls of cereal filled, kisses were pecked on cheeks, grab the groceries on your way home type conversations ensued, lunches were packed, school kids were waking, and i was sleeping in before a college class. we would all remember where we were.

no, this sunny day in july, there was no war raging. America was naive to something so huge and so close at hand. there was no talk of terrorists, homeland security, or the crisis in Iraq. i didn't even know Rudy Giuliani's name yet. little did i know, the next summer, i would be taking an airplane for the same annual trip, along with the same daytrip in to see a Broadway Show, yet visit an extremely different and changed New York City. i had no clue then that i would snap shots of what we'd come to call 'Ground Zero'. i would see homemade signs, candles lit, letters written with black sharpies on t-shirts hanging on the iron gates, along with thousands of flowers, folded origami cranes, and photos of faces, honoring so many who lost their life that day. i didn't know then that i would, only months later, begin a collection of photos and memorabilia, filing it into an Adidas shoebox. i would one day wonder about making a mural size collage about the beloved city covered in dust, smoke, ashes and fear. i was oblivious to the very real fact that our lives were about to change. the world was on the verge; about to transform. and, so was i.

i was just a carefree girl on a plane (surrounded by a sizable crowd of eager returning missionaries). i was also returning; coming back from a 4 week jaunt, visiting my sister. it had been a delightful trip (one that will last in my mind forever) and yet i was anxious to get home. you see, i was madly in love. the kind of love that when you smile (at yourself in the reflection of an airplane window) your cheeks hurt because you cannot not think about him. i had already memorized him and knew so many of his qualities, smirks and the way his eyes looked back at me. although i hadn't known him long, i knew enough. i knew he was mine. or at least i hoped, i prayed, i wished, i daydreamed that this boy really was as good as he seemed and that he wouldn't get away. could he really love me as much as i loved him? had i truly met this dreamboat of a boy who just got me?! he completely understood my sense of humor, my lifelong goals, my craziness, my quirks, my family, my habits, my height, and even my somewhat crooked smile. and he loved all of that?! it was surreal. i was dizzy with glee. it had been the happiest portion of life i had ever known. my future was on a silver platter in front of me and it looked delicious. all i had to do was enjoy it.

i stepped off of that plane and into his arms. giddy with excitement, we had a long chit chat in the car ride home. i remember laughing a lot. my best friend, whit was there too. which made the moment even sweeter. we dropped my luggage off, said goodbye to whit and a quick hello to my family. so what are we going to do today? i thought. suddenly, without acknowledgment, he & i had turned into we. with a surprise outing in store and a hidden picnic basket filled with gourmet goodies in the trunk, he drove me to red butte gardens. {he had something up his sleeve and a diamond ring in his pocket!}


in that sunny spot on the lawn, near the calm lake and the blooming gardens, dan asked me to marry him. i said, "Of course i will! Yes, yes, yes!" i beamed at him and we laughed and i remember thinking, this is my moment. here i am. here we are. getting engaged. i could hardly believe it was happening, yet it felt so perfect and so right. following our lovely luncheon, we talked like young lovers do and enjoyed the day and the telling of the parents. later, we headed up to a fancy schmancy restaurant in deer valley and called our family & friends all the way up the canyon. the cuisine was divine, all three bites i could eat. i was overflowing with happiness. and would smile at the sparkle of the official new bling every time i took a sip from my glass.

once we got home, a gathering spontaneously assembled and a celebration developed. it was a spur-of-the-moment Engagement Party and nothing could have made me more happy than seeing the pair of animated parents chatting on the patio into the evening moonlight.

it was 6 years ago today and i still feel lucky in love. i've been feeling the glow ever since. d, thanks for asking and hoping i'd say yes. xo.

15 comments:

EliseBlaha said...

wow. so beautiful.

Christie said...

Marta, that was just beautiful. Made me cry. You are such a gifted writer. Love it. Love you and Dan!

{B}dreamy said...

Aw, so cute. Beautifully written. And congratulations on your happy six years, and then some! *B

Raesha D said...

What a beautiful memory!!! You have such a wonderful way with words. Here's to an eternity together:)

Travelin'Oma said...

Thank you, Miss Ed, wherever you are! You helped m. discover that she's a writer! This is as beautiful and unique as the white eyelet sandals!

Anonymous said...

just beautiful, marta!

nydampress said...

What a beautiful post, you captured the moment so vividly! Just what I needed to hear during all my wedding planning woes. A great reminder of the joy in finding that special someone. Thank you so much for sharing!

love.boxes said...

May the two of you have many happiness filled days ahead as well! :)

Em said...

Oh, that was so cute. I love it when you post stuff like this!

jamieanne said...

Hey...that photo looks familiar! Lovely couple, indeed.

Jake said...

of course, if i had had my way...you would never have left on that fateful flight...selfish sista that i am....but i am so glad it all worked out and that you met a man who is worthy of your greatness! congrats on 6 wonderful years together and please keep that magical sparkle alive for many many more...

alyson. said...

how cute are you! that was the best ever. I loved reading each word of your story. I could just imagine the slight flick of your hand, just to catch the new "official bling". CUTE!

Quelly said...

Aaaawwweeee.... I want a proposal story like that....

summer said...

such an exquisite way to document your engagement story!
this is one of my most favorite m.posts.
it makes me want to record the details of my own "say yes" story. i should probably do that.
thanks for the lovely tale!

Moments and Impressions said...

I loved reading this Marta... smiling.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...