Once in a blue moon.

How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said.

Victor Hugo

nantucket, july 2012

This is an engagement story. It's about two moons. Two rings. Two people. And four unforgettable words.

Emily’s side: It was the end of August. Labor Day was right around the corner. It had been a wonderful summer. The boy I’d spent most of the winter and spring with, had captured my time for most of the summer, too. Actually, he’d captured my heart. Somewhere between that first winter date and late August, something had shook flirtation and friendship into love. And boy did I ever love him. He was one of the most remarkable men I’d ever met. And such a good man. And such a rascal, too. I loved that he was a rascal.

Andrew called me on a Monday evening, during that last week of August, and asked if he could take me to dinner on Friday night. This was nothing unusual, nor was my response that I didn’t mind where we went. He said, “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.” Oh yes, I knew he would, but really I was happy going anywhere with him. Some of our sweetest dates had been spur-of-the-moment McDonald runs. But then Andrew said, “No, Emily. Wherever you want to go. I’ll take you anywhere. Napa Valley. New York. Anywhere.” And that was when I knew…if you know what I mean.

There was only one place for a night like this…Annapolis! That charming town has been such a special place for me and my family. My parents dated there. Dad went to school there. Two of my brothers went to school there. The water, the crab cakes, the boats, the cobblestone streets…it’s heavenly! And, Andrew had yet to visit himself.

Reservations were made at the Chart House, and the days flew by until Friday, August 31. Sis and I talked. And discussed. And thought, “Is this really happening??!” Before she left for work she wrangled me into a headlock and said, “You’ve got to call me immediately if anything happens!” (Just kidding about the headlock part.)

Friday morning I sailed off to work. Our office closed early because of the Labor Day weekend. I sped out the door at 2pm and called Andrew, “I can’t wait to see you tonight!” He was relaxed as ever and said, “Me too, baby. I’ll be there at 5 to pick you up.” I drove home, completely unaware that…

Andrew’s side: THE RING HAD NOT ARRIVED. Andrew received a call from the jeweler that morning and they delivered the unfortunate news that the ring was still in New York. It would arrive the next morning. Would that work? No, no, that would not work. You see, this boy was ready. He had the girl. The town. The night. The date. And he had a blue moon. He knew this girl loved full moons. She just came all undone with those. And tonight he had a blue moon. (Do you know about blue moons? It’s called that when it’s the second full moon in the same calendar month. Did you know that a blue moon only occurs every two to three years? They’re rare and special.) And more than that, he had been waiting. He’d actually talked to this girl’s father back in June. And now it was August, and it was time. Except there was no ring. There was a moment of sheer despondency in northern Virginia, and then a change of plans…Andrew’s mom began to brainstorm with him. Couldn’t he just tell the girl that the ring didn’t come in? No. Could he buy her a wedding band? Okay, possibly. Off to the jewelry store! But the options were lacking. They were back to the drawing board. Then Andrew’s mom had a wonderful idea. She looked at her son and said knowingly, “Every girl loves a little blue box.” (And she was right!) So they trekked off to Tiffany & Co. Rings were laid out across counters. Opinions were shared. Helpful sales people offered suggestions. Andrew spotted something that fit his girl perfectly. He headed out of the store. He hadn’t showered, shaved or changed. In the parking lot his phone rang. “I can’t wait to see you tonight!” He was relaxed as ever and said, “Me too, baby. I’ll be there at 5 to pick you up.”

Emily’s side: He picked me up right on time. (And he looked so handsome in his suit.) We drove the hour and a half in traffic to Annapolis and talked and talked. I was giddy from nerves, from excitement, and especially at the thought Andrew would get to experience a place I loved so much. And I did not guess that anything might be amiss. We parked near the Chart House, and realized we had a half hour to kill before dinner. Andrew suggested we walk near the water. My heart began to beat very, very rapidly. We walked out onto a pier. At the end of the pier the sun was setting brilliantly over the water. Across the Severn River the lights of the U.S. Naval Academy fields were turning on. Ego Alley was filled with boats of all shapes and sizes, and the breeze was playing with my long dress around my ankles. In other words, it.was.perfect. Andrew and I stood goofily looking at each other, and then we turned and walked back down the pier. Oh my. What?! We approached a second pier, walked to the end, paused, and turned back again. And then a third pier. But this one was closed. “We can stand over here,” Andrew offered, pointing to a grassy area with a picnic table. I began to think maybe something wasn’t going to happen after all. We stood facing each other. I glanced over my shoulder at the dilapidated boathouse behind us. When I turned around Andrew was kneeling on the soft grass holding a little blue box in his hand, looking at me and asking…

Andrew’s side: “Will you marry me?” He asked it once and the squeals began. She was laughing and hugging him and he had tears in his eyes. He gave her the box and watched her as she opened the package to reveal a sparkling pink sapphire set on a white gold band. She gasped. It was lovely! But then he told her, “This isn’t your real engagement ring.” She was very confused. Not the real one? Did this one have to be returned? No. This was a gift. The real one would arrive tomorrow.

Our story: We spent the night celebrating in Annapolis, phoned Sis to tell her, and returned home late to share the news with our families. Early the next morning Andrew camped outside the jewelry store waiting for the FedEx truck. After a FedEx employee exited the store Andrew asked him if he’d dropped off a package from New York. The surprised delivery man said that yes, he had! Andrew grabbed the package and sped off to Maryland. He picked me up a little after 9am and we drove to the C&OCanal. To a very special bench. And he asked me another question. And he gave me another ring. I squealed again, and he had tears in his eyes. We went home to see my family, and spent the weekend sharing the news with friends and relatives.

Do you know something about that real engagement ring? The diamond was mined in South Africa, cut in Israel, and the ring was set in New York...all before it settled in D.C.

Do you know something about me? I spent six months in Africa after high school, six weeks in Israel during college, and two years in New York...all before I settled back in D.C.

That’s rare and special. Like the blue moon. Like that Virginia boy. Like those two unforgettable days, two beautiful rings, and two elated hearts.

september 2012, photo by sister

The End. The Beginning!