X Marks the Spot

The girls knew they were running late. Today was the WORST day to run late. They also knew that Mike (the Proposer) was very mellow, laid back kind of guy and would probably not be too hard on them that they were getting off 3 hours later than the time promised. They also knew he had planned out a very special proposal plan for that day and their timeliness was critical for the plan to work. 

 What Mike didn't know was:

Five girls will never, ever, leave on time. 

Cell phone reception in the mountains is like trying to call Mars. 

Five girls wanting to read a map...one in a million. Five girls having to read a map for the proposal to work...one in a gazillion.

Clues being lost, moved, removed on a public trail will be mighty tempting for some. Better put Smokey the bear, Fang the Wolf, Snoopy or Tweety Bird on guard.

Your Wingman might not be able to make that one very important call to tell you that your bride is headed up your way...by mistake.

The Explorer tore up Highway One dodging happy campers, casual weekend drivers, incredibly fit bike riders (some of the girls checked out that scenery) and barely noticed the beautiful rugged coastline of waves crashing on the beach and pampas grasses blowing in the breeze. They made it to three of the clues and decided to "jump" to the last clue since it was getting late. Jen, the Proposee, ran up the trail, barely feeling the branches scratching her arms and legs in her haste to get to the waterfall spot. All of a sudden, crouched by a rock, she sees Mike and squeals,

"Hey Mike! There you are sweetie."

Mike turns around in shock that he has been spotted and in the wrong place.

"You don't see me. Pretend you never saw me." Mike quickly replies and dashes back down the trail.

"Oh...bye," whispers Jen as she watches her sweetie leap frog down the trail as if a swarm of bees are after him.

Jen goes over to the last clue and reads that she actually needs to meet him at the beach at sunset. She high tails it out of there back to the car with some more scratches on her legs and arms. By this time she has figured out what is going on and is wondering if her deodrant is still working and if the dew of perspiration is attractive.

They finally got the sweetest part right, on the beach with the sun setting, down on one knee. All the time lags, missed clues, scrapes and bruises were a good introductory to probably what marriage will be like for Jen and Mike. Sure isn't going to be boring!

p.s. I hope Jen and Mike know I love them and took creative license just a little bit with their proposal story. They are a wonderful couple and I am lucky to know them. Kisses and hugs to you both.