HOW WE MET

We met at a basket ball game, the Denver Nuggets. Tarik is a huge fan. Me, not so much. I was actually there on a date. Can you believe it? Guys, dating lesson 101, before you take a girl to a sporting event find out if the girl likes sports. I won't say his name, let's just call him, Thoughtless. So, Thoughtless takes me to this game. Great seats, on the third row up, so he spent money, I tried to appreciate it. Then he left me there by myself to talk to his buddies for about 45 minutes or longer. After a bit his guy next to me says quietly in a soft deep voice, "Not a basketball fan, huh?" It was Tarik. "Not really," I say, "just here with a friend." I felt horrible, you know, abandoned, stupid, and uncertain about myself and the situation. I really just wanted to escape. I think he felt bad for me so he just started talking to me, comforting me in a way. He starts telling me about the team and the stories of their players, where they were from, their background. Really calmed me down and I just started noticing him, tall, dark, handsome. I think my anger at Mr. Thoughtless made me brave for once in my life. On the one hand, Thoughtless has left me alone at a place I didn't even want to come. On the other hand there is this guy, this stranger, who is kind of caring for me and trying to make comfortable. I knew in that moment, I would never go on another date with Thoughtless. So finally, after about fifteen minutes, this thought goes through my head, screw it, but not so polite, and I say, "They have a microbrewery here in the stadium, would you like to get a drink with me?" I have never done anything like that in my life. I'll never forget that look, it was a bit surprised but kind of calm and graceful too. He says, "As a matter of fact, I would... but what about... you know?" He gestures to the seat next to him. I stand to go and respond, "I don't see anybody there, do you?' He grabs his jacket and says, "As a matter of fact I don't." That's how we met.

We grabbed a beer at the brewery and talked for maybe two hours. At that point, I wasn’t thinking much. I enjoyed chatting, but I was still somewhat irritated and my attention was somewhat divided. He noticed too, but was very patient. I kept getting texts from you-know-who and I tried to ignore. At first, they were of concern, but as they followed, they quickly turned into calling me names and such. I showed them to Tarik, he winced a bit and says, “If I ever talked to a woman like that, my mama would slap the hell out of me.” I felt bad for Tarik. He really made me feel good, but I thought he thought I must be crazy. It was a crazy situation, but kismet also. When we left, he walked me out and called an Uber. I remember, he opened the door, and before I got in, he said, “Angie, if I could have the great honor of taking you out on a proper date I will make three promises. First, I won’t take you to a basketball game. Second, no way in hell I would ever leave you alone. Sorry to say, but the guy’s a fool. Thirdly, no matter how things go, I will never send you a message that would offend you, myself, or my mother.”

You see, let that be a lesson men. That is the way to ask a girl out. How could I say no? Especially, I was very self-conscious. I am a very self-conscious person. I wanted to redeem myself if nothing else. I wanted to know him, but also, I wanted him to know that I am not just this emotional crazy woman. When I think about it now, it really is kismet, serendipity. Sometimes it feels like I was supposed to be there in that seat alone just so I could meet him.

HOW HE PROPOSED

Tarik is a little shy. He doesn’t like to draw attention to himself. Important things, like a proposal, he likes it to be private. As you can tell, I kind of don’t mind being the center of attention. What I like about Tarik, is that when he gives me attention, he gives his full attention.

One day, I am sitting at this bakery with my girlfriend for lunch and he calls and says, “I need to talk to you about something, can we plan dinner Friday, you and me?” You have to understand, that is the way he is, so I didn’t suspect anything. I was curious sure. I had grown accustom to his style though. For instance, if he were thinking about buying a new car, going on a vacation, got a promotion, whatever, this is what he would have done. A few minutes later he sends a text that reads, “It’s a nice place, we should probably dress accordingly.” Now I am bit curious. I show my girlfriend. She’s like, “Think he’s going to pop the question?” That was when I started to wonder, not seriously, but wonder. He says nothing else.

Friday comes, he picks me up, which is unusual because if we are going to have drinks or something he always takes an Uber. He is dressed super smart, looking handsome as ever. We drive down to the Denver Hotel. They have this amazing restaurant called The Palace Arms. I had been wanting him to take me there for a while. Very romantic, upscale. As we drive in, I see this sly smile. I thought that was the surprise. After my friend asked me about popping the question, I thought about it for a few times, but didn’t really take it seriously. The idea just vanished.

When we walk into the restaurant, he had reservations. We sat down. He ordered for both of us. He really had gone all out: scallops and king grab, beef filet, escargot, caviar. They brought a bottle of wine and poured us a glass. I mean, seriously 4 courses, the works. For some people this might be normal, but not for us. For us, it was a bit extravagant. I thought he had gotten a promotion or something. I was even a little nervous, it was too much. I thought he was going to tell me that he had to move to another state or something.

I say to hime, “You said you had something you wanted to talk to me about?” He was obviously nervous and that scared me even more. “As a matter of fact I do,” he says. I wait for a minute and I am like, c’mon, out with it. He stands up, straightens his jacket. “I guess now is as good a time as any.” He walks over to me, then drops to one knee while pulling out a ring box. “I would like to talk to you about becoming my wife,” he says, “Angie, will you marry me?” I was floored. I couldn’t even speak. I couldn’t move. It was like time stopped. I left him there in silence for a minute and everyone, I mean everyone was watching. “You gotta help me out here,” he says, “I need an answer.” I then snapped out of it, I was like “Yes!, Definitely! YES YES YES.” I could see total relief. I really left him hanging for a minute. People raised their glasses to us. I could hardly eat I was so happy.

Now I know why he didn’t take the Uber, because he reserved a room for the weekend. He spent the whole weekend babying me, treating me like a queen, shopping, massage, spa. I wouldn’t have wanted it any different. Especially because it was just so much of what I think makes Tarik so special. Whenever he gets focused on something, he eliminates all distractions and focuses on the important thing. I, we, were the important thing.

The ring, well, the ring was beautiful. Inside he inscribed the words, All my love, all my life. His sister-in-law helped pick it out. She knows I like delicate things, but with just a little flash. It’s a beautiful diamond ring with little small diamonds running down the side. I love it. I will cherish it forever.