Many of you asked for the story, so here it is. Grab some tissues.
For those who don't know:
1. Nik and I had dated for four years on this date.
2. Nik has lived in NYC for ten months and I live in Arkansas.
3. Long-distance sucks, but is worth it when you desire to spend your life with that person.
It was dark and stormy night. No not really.
To preface, one week before our FOUR YEAR anniversary, I mentioned to Nik that maybe I should give him pointers about my ideal ring so he would have an idea...you know, when the time came (I imagined the earliest he would propose would be at my graduation in May). He said why not (he was so convincing!) so I began to send him pictures of which setting I thought I liked best.
Eight days later…
Waking up on the morning of our anniversary, I just about slapped myself for telling Nik not to visit. Because it’s my last semester of college, this time is EXtremely busy so I was adamant that he could not visit. It’s just too hard to say goodbye sometimes so not seeing each other is almost easier.
You know that moment when you REALLY regret something you said and wish you could take it back? That’s how I felt. I began to daydream all day that MAYBE just maybe he would ignore my instructions and swoop down to AR in the most romantic way possible.
He’s extremely romantic, so…maybe? “But no,” I told myself. “He knew you couldn’t emotionally handle it during this time. He’ll respect that.” But everything in me wanted him to surprise me. All day I told my classmates about our four year skype date (I sort of wanted to shout if from the rooftops). I was shocked not to see it on the front page of the newspaper. Typical.
I rushed home after class to get dolled up and sweet Abby Southerland (my “sister”) came to make sure I picked something swell to wear. Little did I know she was making sure I would look good in pictures for when a certain man asked me an important question. She even had a neighbor takes pictures of us, “just because” she said. Yeahhh right.
It was now 5:30 and I jumped on skype, my heart racing. I thought if Nik logged onto skype, then that would settle in mind that he WAS in NYC and not ready to show up at my door. (I’ve said many times that scientists should invent a way to apparate, because it would TRULY revolutionize long-distance relationships. I don’t think they’ve made headway though.) Nik then called me on skype and I answered only to see a blank screen, not his handsome face. (I found out later Nik was covering his camera so that I would think skype wasn’t working. It was all a part of his diabolical plan). The Skype menu then said “Nik Parks is offline” so my heart was racing even more—not in a good way. He called and said (in the saddest voice he could muster) “Mollie, my internet isn’t working…I don’t think we’re going to be able to skype tonight.”
Tears began rolling down my face before I could hit “end call”. Sobbing uncontrollably and alone on my couch, the emotions swirling inside me took over. This had to be the worst anniversary ever. Dressed up, ALL alone (Ok Mollie, he didn’t fly in for a surprise visit), and feeling like the world could just end. COULD THIS DAY GET ANY WORSE??
Suddenly there was a knock at my door. SERIOUSLY???? (Yes, apparently it can get worse). Worst timing ever award goes to the neighbor-that-I-was-going-to-verbally-attack-and-make-wish-he-had-never-knocked-on-my-door. I swung the door open with a vengeance and low and behold, there stood my Knight in Shining Awesomeness, Nik Parks.
The next part is a bit blurry to me so I had Nik help me “remember” it. You’ll see from the pictures just how stunned I was. I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!!! Nik said “Heeeeey there” trying to ease into the conversation because he could tell I was about to faint. He hugged me and I was still trying to believe my eyes, hug him, and wipe the running mascara from my face. Shocked, I remember noticing the song “Marry Me” by Bruno Mars was playing and that there was a photographer some feet from us taking pictures—but it never crossed my mind he was about to propose! I was simply pleased he was there in person! That was good enough for me.
Nik said he had something for me and at that exact moment a neighbor decided to come stomping down the stairs. We waited an awkward moment and stared the guy down for his impeccable timing (I have no idea who the poor chump was).
Nik then pulled something out of his pocket, knelt down on one knee, and asked,
“Mollie, will you marry me?”
WHAT THE WHAT??? As if my heart could take any more surprises, he popped the question!!!! In disbelief, I leaned toward him, began poking his forehead and asked (I was dead serious mind you)
“Is this real? Are you really here?”
He reassured me that he was every bit real and quite serious.
I grabbed his face and whispered “OF COURSE!!!”
The rest my friends, is history. Blissful history.
First moment seeing Nik:
It was perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Nik did an INCREDIBLY spectacular job.
I love you Nikolas!!
Molls.
P.S. The ring he gave me looked EXACTLY like the picture I sent him of my dream ring. I sent that picture days
after he already had it made.
