I'm crouching on the stage lift beneath the Eras Tour stage, holding a diamond engagement ring, waiting for the moment that they lift me up to surprise Taylor while she is singing Love Story.
My brain freezes for a moment, wondering 'How did I get here?' It's been exactly one year and one day since I attended her concert in KC, with a friendship bracelet and a dream. And now I'm here, about to ask her to join me for the rest of my life, our lives.
I can't really wrap my head around it. All I know is that this past year I've been the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. I never would have imagined that I would find someone like her. So strong and brave. So smart and witty. But so down to earth and normal that it sometimes makes me pinch myself to make sure she's real and that I'm not dreaming.
She is the most amazing person I have ever met. I still can't wrap my mind around everything that she has been through. All of the past relationships and horrible dudes that made her promises just to break her heart. All the crazy media circus that tried to cut her down and tear her apart. She has risen above all of it to become the incredible person that she is today. Giving love and hope to so many people with her songs and her open, loving nature. The haters and the clowns weren't able to take that away, her big heart. And now she shares that heart with me. I can feel my heartbeat quicken just thinking about the love she gives me and how much it has improved my life and made me a better man.
I got the idea to propose during this song after seeing countless videos of people proposing in the audience during her concerts. And I remember how touched she was when I sang her lyrics back to her and asked "Are you in love with me?" at the Superbowl after party. She told me it was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. I think this will definitely top it.
I clench the diamond ring in my slightly sweaty hand and wait for the lift to move. I know how much it means to her that I appreciate and encourage her music and career. It blows my mind that all the schmucks that came before never did. She is a genius and either they couldn't see it or were too insecure in themselves to be able to admit it. There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than to praise her work and her brilliant mind. Our mutual appreciation for each other's gifts and talents I think is what really bonds us. Finding someone that shares your same passionate nature and enthusiasm is incredible. I am so grateful every day for the love and support she gives me. I can't wait to give her the same for the rest of our lives.
Suddenly my attention snaps back to the present as I hear Taylor start to sing the bridge of Love Story and know that the moment has come.
But I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town
I feel the lift begin to rise and I duck my head, so that I can stay hidden as long as possible. I know that Amos and Mike and Paul are hanging a little closer behind her than normal, just to make sure to block me from view, and to protect her from the open stage that she won't be expecting.
The bright sunlight of Zurich is blinding as the trap door raises me up. I'm dressed in a dark suit and tie with tiny silver pinstripes that glitter faintly in the sun. The gold pocket square brings the look together to match the black, gold, and silver of her new Fearless dress that she debuted on this European leg.
My brain vaguely processes the next lyrics of the song, but my vision has tunneled so that I only see her.
And I said, "Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you, but you never come
Her back is to me, and I can see her arm reaching out to the crowd as she sings her heart out, doing what she loves, what she was born to do.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think"
That's my cue and I straighten up, standing tall and proud. I am so incredibly proud of this woman and grinning like I'm going to burst.
She turns around to start heading up stage.
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring, and said…
Her eyes fall on me and I drop to one knee, on the massive stage, with 70,000 fans screaming and cheering. Her eyes meet mine and her mouth falls open, forgetting the lyrics and just stares. I blush a little and momentarily duck my head before looking up into her eyes. I don't have to say a word. The question is in my eyes and she doesn't have to say a word in answer. Her beautiful blue eyes hold the answer I've been longing to see, ever since I imagined asking her to marry me. Since the moment I first looked into them really.
She rushes towards me to jump in my arms and I stand up to catch her. She has forgotten all about the song. Her band continues to play the music, but even her back up singers have been made speechless. Then she is in my arms and I spin her around, under the bright summer sun. The fringe of her dress glitters and twirls and she laughs out loud and begins to cry. Tears are already streaming down my face and I bury my face in her neck. The roar of the crowd is deafening, but in that moment, there are just the two of us. I can't even put into words the feelings bursting out of me. But her hug lets me know that she feels the same.
After what feels like a heavenly eternity, I set her down on the stage and she seems to remember where she is. A blush colors her cheeks, but her eyes sparkle with happiness. I take the diamond ring and slide it onto her left hand as the crowd goes insane.
I give her a heated kiss and a hug that again lifts her feet off the ground again before whispering in her ear that the show must go on. She laughs that laugh that always warms my soul and finally lets me go. I step back onto the platform and raise a hand to the crowd. I could never have imagined this a year ago, but now it feels incredible. Her fans are amazing and I'm so happy we could share this moment with them. I know how much they mean to her and I'll never be sorry to share her with them.
As the lift descends, I hear her address the crowd:
"Ok, so um, that was, well, I don't know if I have words for what that just was. I have seen quite a few proposals during this tour and have always been so happy to share in those special moments. But I never imagined that I would get to share mine with you all. My fans are so important to me, and always have been. You guys know this. To be able to share this love with you all is all I've ever wanted. I hope this gives hope to anyone lost out there, that you can find your dreams, even after you think the chance has passed you by. Looks like I was able to change the Prophecy after all, huh?"
Taylor walks over to the trap door, blows kisses and traces a heart in the air as the lift descends. I'm waiting just beyond the lift for her. She runs into my arms for a huge hug and I kiss her forehead. We separate as they strip off her Fearless dress for the next costume change.
"I can't believe what you just did. That you just made such a public display of our love. To share this moment with all of my fans. You're incredible. You truly are. I don't know how I got so lucky to have found you." I can see her get choked up by her emotions at this declaration.
"I'm the lucky one babe. That you'll have me forever is the greatest gift of my life."
We hear the squeaky wheel sound of the Red Era cart being pushed across the stage. She blows me one last kiss before running under the stage and up the stage to enter through the upstage screen door. I hear the words of her next song and they seem to perfectly encapsulate this moment.
It feels like a perfect night…