My fiance, Harry, really went all out for the most romantic enagement ever! He is an officer in the U.S. Air Force and I work at the State Department across the river – a true inter-agency romance!
On Friday, Feb. 28, I received "coded" e-mails asking me in military lingo to prep for "Operation Rendezvous." I was under strict orders to tell not a soul and that it was my job that night to seduce a rather "handsome Air Force officer." I prepped for the night with an over-night bag, according to my instructions.
At 1930 hours (7:30 p.m. in civilian time) Harry had a sedan service pick us up in front of my home – a total surprise! The mysterious black sedan drove us through Washington, D.C. and past the historic monuments. Lincoln, Washington and the Jefferson. We recently had snow so the night was clear and bright.
We arrived at a rather stately historic hotel on 16th Street — a few blocks from the White House – and I was spirited upstairs to a suite of rooms. Harry planned ahead and had a dozen long-stem roses, chocolate, strawberries dipped in chocolate, champagne, fruit and an assortment of cheese waiting for us upon our arrival.
After sipping on champagne – and taking in the beauty of our surroundingss – he shocked me further by saying, "This morning, when I spoke to your father, I told him that I was hopelessly in love with you." I then turned into a puddle, Harry eased off the couch and on bended knee asked me to marry him. I said yes!
After a few minutes of hugs and tears, Harry said to me, "Well, honey, don’t you want to try on the ring?" I had totally forgotten about the ring and couldn’t see the wonderful diamond through all of the tears.
I had told him that I would marry him with just a piece of twine around my finger but he really wowed me and created the very best memory that I can’t wait to tell our grandchildren!
Jo-Anne Prokopowicz,
Arlington, VA
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