What inspired 'The Proposal': Thirteen years ago my boyfriend, now my husband, and I decided we were going to get married. For two months he looked for my engagement ring. I knew when he found it because I had to drive him to the jeweller's to pick it up. Since we lived near Boston we loved to visit the city, especially the Boston Gardens, where we would frequently take a picnic lunch.
Two days before our planned visit, my best friend Angela came to my room and told me she had just seen the ring. With concern on her face she told me it was not an engagement ring but a friendship ring that was loud and gaudy. I laughed her out of the room because everyone knew, especially Matt, that I loved simple things. However, two other friends soon confirmed her story and I began to truly worry.
By the day of our picnic, my stomach was in knots despite the beautiful day. Once we reached our normal spot Matt lead me to a nearby willow tree. As he tried to kneel down in front of me I grabbed his jacket to stop him, put my face against his chest and started to quietly say, "no, no, no". He laughed at me and told me I had to let him go but I wouldn't. Finally, after pulling my fingers away, he got down in front of me and asked me to marry him. I opened my eyes and saw, not a loud and gaudy ring but a simple diamond in the shape of a heart.
I nearly passed out in relief. Of course I accepted and, while we were eating a few minutes later, I told him what my friends had said. He laughed and promised me he'd had no idea about their prank. I still wonder sometimes if that's true.