J'lyn & Jim ~ August 17, 2012
Friday December 9th started like every other Friday. Up at 3:30 in the morning, off to do my morning radio show at 92.5 JOE FM in Edmonton, Alberta but wow did that soon change. At 9:45 my boss Greg handed me a letter from Jim which stated that the next 24 hours would be all about me. He asked if I remembered that a year ago was the day of the surprise birthday party he planned for me? Um, no. He remembered of course...and told me he wasn't sure if he could beat it, but was going to try to plan a nice day for me. With my birthday just days away, I thought it was a birthday treat. Was I wrong? The letter said I was to follow directions and ask no questions. Did I trust him? Completely. Then just follow directions. No Facebook messages, no calls, no emails.
The letter said I had 15 minutes to finish up work and head home. Once I arrived there would be another set of instructions for me. I found them inside a beautiful birthday card propped up by a wine glass. The instructions told me to have a bit to eat then crawl into bed and try to nap. When my alarm went off at 12:40 another set of directions would be waiting.
At 12:40 I received a text message from Jim saying to look in the lower left hand drawer of our dresser. Inside another beautiful birthday card, were more instructions. Jim told me to take a nice long bath, have a glass of wine and do my hair and makeup. "Get ready" he said....more instructions will arrive at 2:00.
At 2:00 I was directed to the spare bathroom, where I found another birthday card under the sink. It told me to start packing! That I needed to pack for 2 days and he gave me some suggestions on what to bring. He told me to hurry because a car would be there to pick me up at 2:45.
At 2:45 Jim's son, Chase picked me up and started driving. He did remarkably well not giving up any details and even trying to throw me off. Our drive ended at the International Airport where I was handed my passport, another card and a brown manila envelope. Chase drove away saying "Happy Birthday".
So I went inside and opened another beautiful card that had my flight plans in it. Apparently I was off to Victoria! Ok! I thought he must be sending me to see my best friend and goddaughter for an early birthday surprise. Or so I thought. I had to chuckle as well when I saw 40 dollars and another note that told me to go to our little restaurant we always stop at when travelling and have a drink and some food... but don't miss the plane! I sat there wondering what was in the manila envelope. But I didn't open it until I was on the plane like he had asked. When it finally took off, I opened the envelope and was blown away again...inside were dozens of the love letters he has written to me over the past year. He said he wanted to remind me of our journey. The ladies sitting beside me were all a twitter. I was smiling thinking about this wonderful man of mine!
When I landed he texted me and told me someone would be waiting. Thinking it was my best friend and goddaughter I had my camera ready...but nope. They weren't there. But a fellow named Gilles was, holding a sign with my name on it. He escorted me to a beautiful right side driven Daimler, which I found out used to be the Mayor of Birmingham England's. It had Union Jacks and Canadian flags on it, more windows than I'd ever seen, curtains. Wow! It totally appealed to by British senses! As I tucked myself in for the drive... I felt like a princess! I still had no idea what was going on. I truly thought Jim had sent me to Victoria to see my best friend and goddaughter. I had no idea where he was. Little did I know he had been in Victoria since early that morning (right after I went to work he flew out) putting the finishing touches on his grand plan.
Gilles drove me to the beautiful Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa...where I was told to check in. As the receptionist checked me in she said "a room for one"...hmm. Really? She even asked for a credit card for incidentals. Really? (Jim planned this with her to throw me off again) So I go to my room and am blown away by the stunning view of the inner harbor, the lights on the Legislature, beautiful flowers, truffles and chilled drinks including some Stella Artois (which was the drink he sent me the night we met). Jim sends me a message... have a drink relax, freshen up. Your next directions come in 30 minutes.
In 30 minutes I am directed to a card, hidden under the mattress. Inside I'm told to go downstairs to the Signature lounge and proceed to the patio. In between trying to figure out what to wear and not being able to figure out how to open the door...I get down there and see someone who looks like my best friends boyfriend sitting in the lounge. Finally! They are here to pick me up. But NO it wasn't him...and that's when I look out to private patio. There he is, my handsome man, in a suite overlooking the water. Holy! What's going to happen? I stepped out of the lounge and walked outside That's when a beautiful young woman, accompanied by a guitar player (Kristina & Ben) started singing playing our song..."Marry Me" by Amanda Marshall.
He turns around; tears are streaming down his face. I'm crying too. He says "just listen" and stares at me during the entire song. When the song is over, he starts to speak. They are the most wonderful words that neither of us can remember and then he gets down on one knee. My dream man presents me with my dream ring (which he had custom made) and asks me to marry him! It was beautiful! Simply beautiful! The perfect engagement continued with another song from Ben and Kristina (To Make You Feel My Love by Garth Brooks), champagne, and phone calls to parents, dinner at Il Terrazzo, and more champagne, crashing a Christmas party, making new friends and dancing fun!
Best. Night. Ever.
