You guessed it! It’s our five-year anniversary, and this year, my gift to Dede is taking over the blog to share our proposal story. Consider it a night off for her and a trip down memory lane for us both – and hopefully, a little inspiration for anyone searching for the perfect Five Year Anniversary Gift.
Dede crying during proposal
Image: Dede’s emotional reaction during the surprise proposal in Austin, a cherished memory being shared as a five year anniversary gift.
Why start a wedding anniversary post with a picture of Dede crying at our proposal? Because the proposal, for me, was the beginning of our incredible adventure. And what better way to celebrate five years together than by reliving the moment it all began?
The Secret Mission
Keeping secrets from Dede is an Olympic sport. Planning the proposal felt like a high-stakes mission. I knew I couldn’t tell a soul. The less people who knew, the better. Dede has this uncanny ability to sniff out surprises. She’d lovingly interrogate everyone until she pieced it all together. Seriously, she’s like a secret agent. So, for everyone’s sake (and the surprise’s success), silence was golden.
For months leading up to it, whenever Dede even hinted at marriage, I’d play it cool, maybe even a little negative, just to throw her off the scent. (Don’t judge! It was necessary!). It wasn’t until a week before that I finally confided in my roommate. And the real nail-biter? I waited until just two days before to ask her parents for their blessing – and all five of her aunts! (That’s how Arab families roll).
To truly understand the proposal plan, you need a little background on Dede:
- She was living in San Marcos at the time.
- 11:11 was “her thing” way before it was trendy.
- She was obsessed with Austin, even before it became the “it” city.
- Sunsets, sunrises, anything sun-related – she’s obsessed. It’s a healthy obsession, I promise!
- She assumed I wouldn’t propose until after she graduated – something I diligently reinforced to maintain the surprise.
Knowing these details, the proposal had to be perfect: Austin, sunset, 11/11/11, and definitely before graduation.
Stop One: Zilker Park Panic
Our first stop was a picnic at Zilker Park. Honestly, I was in full-blown panic mode and barely registered a word Dede said. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because Mount Bonnell and sunset were looming. If you know me, you know I’m a talker. Dede probably thought I was being super attentive, nodding and saying “uh-huh” while my brain was a whirlwind of logistics. (Gentlemen, take note: sometimes silence and nodding work wonders, even if you’re internally freaking out). My mission: get her to Mount Bonnell before the sun dipped below the horizon.
The Proposal Unveiled
We arrived at Mount Bonnell, where my incredible roommate had worked his magic. A table adorned with photos of Dede and me, roses scattered everywhere, and a candlelit path leading to it all. Even I was impressed!
Romantic Proposal Setup Overlooking Austin
Image: The breathtaking view overlooking Austin at Mount Bonnell, where a romantic proposal setup awaited as a memorable five year anniversary gift.
As we climbed the “thousand steps” (okay, maybe not a thousand, but it felt like it!), we finally saw the candles flickering. I started walking towards them, and Dede immediately protested, “It’s not for us, stop walking that way!” Being the suave guy I am, I ignored her and kept going, telling her to just come along. Surprisingly, it worked.
The Good Stuff: Tears of Joy
She saw the pictures, turned around, and there I was, down on one knee. And then came the tears. Not just a little tear – full-on, movie-style crying. My mind raced. Had I been too convincing with the anti-marriage act? Was she about to say no? Flashbacks to that epic rejection at the Rockets game a few years prior filled my head. That single second felt like an eternity.
But, of course, they were tears of pure joy (duh, I knew that… mostly!). She couldn’t stop crying, and I honestly wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing in the moment, but the pictures are priceless! (Thanks again, bro!).
Dede still crying after proposal
Image: Dede’s continued emotional tears of joy after the proposal, a raw and authentic moment captured as a five year anniversary gift memory.
More Than Just a Wedding: The Beginning
So why am I sharing this proposal story on our five year anniversary? Everyone talks about the wedding (and ours was amazing, Dede has impeccable taste – check out last year’s post here). But for me, the proposal is where our real adventure began. It’s the foundation of these incredible five years.
Sappy Moments & Brownie Points
That picture of Dede crying – that raw, emotional response – that’s everything to me. It captures her incredible, loving personality that draws everyone to her. It marks the start of my journey with my best friend. Looking back on these five years, I can’t imagine spending them with anyone else. I feel unbelievably lucky that she even wants to be in my life, let alone be my wife. Life with her is the greatest adventure. I genuinely love everything about her, maybe even too much. I constantly pray I’m being the husband she deserves because, honestly, she deserves the world. I fall short often, but she’s endlessly forgiving and gracious. That’s just who she is.
We live by the verse 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” Understanding that we are undeserving of His love reminds me how undeserving I am of Dede, and makes me love her even more – if that’s even possible.
Okay, long post over! Now, time to celebrate five years in Mexico!
-Ted
Dede smiling
Image: Dede’s radiant smile, a symbol of the joy and love celebrated on their five year anniversary, stemming from the proposal story shared as a gift.
And here are a few wedding photos to round things out! Full wedding post here.
Image: A collection of wedding photos commemorating the journey that began with the proposal, now celebrated as a five year anniversary milestone.
