Blue Arrows Around Athens

Friday was one of the most stressful days of my quarter. I was participating in a charity dinner and hosting a formal dance for my college. When I finally made it back to the apartment, I made sure that my roommate was still on for breakfast, then fell into bed.

My roommate woke me up Saturday morning and handed me a note. Inside was an Amelie-esque photo instructing me to go to the pay phone near BP. I looked up at my roommate and just said "So it's happening?" She got me up and hurried me out the door. Throughout that hour I was very calm about everything. Jay told me months ago that when it started I would know. I was so excited, but not at all nervous.

My roomie and her boyfriend dropped me off at the pay phone and I waited for Jay to call. Technology threatened Jay's plan at that point--apparently, I needed to deposit fifty cents for this to work. So Jay called my cell phone and told me to follow the blue arrows. Admittedly, it took me a little while to find the arrows. Once I did, I followed them down Court Street, along Washington to College Street where the arrows stopped at a sketch of the Great Seal of Ohio. The first time Jay visited me in Athens, we walked across it together. According to superstition, that meant that we would get married, but I wouldn't graduate in four years. So far, it seems that both facts are coming true.

Waiting for me on the Seal was an album Jay had made. Inside were his favorite photos of the two of us. The last photo was of the ring. As I looked up, Jay was walking down the steps and toward me. He knelt and asked, "Veux-tu m'epouser?"

Naturally, I answered, "Oui!"

At that point, my roommate and her boyfriend let out a cheer from the bushes across the street. We crossed to show off my ring. I gave my roomie a huge hug for all the help she gave Jay while he prepared this. Also, she lent me her cute winter coat--it photographs so much better than mine does! Jay told me that his Papa was hiding in a holly bush, taking pictures. We went back to my apartment and--what else--updated our relationship status on Facebook. So it would be, you know, real.

Jay had invited our parents to join us for "engagement lunch" at my favorite restaurant in Athens. I was so happy that they made the drive just for lunch. We spent over an hour chatting and enjoying each others' company. My mom gave me a huge box of wedding books and magazines (hooray!). And, true to form, the Lui Lui staff personalized our dessert.

Jay's here in Athens until Tuesday--until then, we're going to enjoy the engagement glow.