Turn of a Century

A younger Matt with his first love...Ben & Jerry's

A quarter turn, to be precise. Twenty-five years ago today Matt proposed to me on top of the Empire State Building. While we had already been planning our wedding and determining how to make things work as a married couple our senior year at college, I didn’t know he had purchased a ring before we made our trek to New York for me to meet his family. Matt had taken me ring shopping in the Diamond District of NYC earlier that day to throw me off track—he thought I suspected he was going to pop the question. I didn’t. I can’t pull off surprises, so I figure no one else has that capacity.

We got caught in a downpour that afternoon while sight-seeing and I didn't eat properly. My blood sugar crashed, making me grouchy (that's my excuse for it). If I had been Matt, I wouldn’t have wanted to be tied to someone that cranky for the rest of my life. He’s a trooper and obviously loves me. After taking me out for an ice cream drink at TGI Friday’s and seeing my mood lift, he suggested we go to the Empire State Building. It was dark. I was tired. I said no. He cajoled, and I finally caved. I’d like to think I didn’t grump about having to walk again in uncomfortable shoes, but I probably did.

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We arrived at the top of the building and enjoyed the amazing view. Matt posed me on top of a short inner wall so he could memorialize the moment with his ever-present camera. I looked towards a group of Japanese tourists and when I turned back to Matt, he was down on his knees. I thought he’d dropped something, until I saw the ring box in his outstretched hand. He asked. I remained silent. After a few moments, he drew me out of my shock with, “Well? You’re worrying me.” My laughter rang through the night as I reached for the ring and said yes. As we huddled close to each other admiring how the jewelry looked on my hand, we both noticed one of the Japanese tourists taking pictures of us. Romance on top of the Empire State Building is part of the American lure.

Big hair was in

The roll of film from that night didn’t survive the hot car during our summer trip, so I have no photos to share. But here’s something just as fun: my big hair from that time period. This picture is of Matt and me as newlyweds, enjoying Graduation Brunch before we join the world as real adults.

My hair and I love you, Matt.

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