She was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar...
About three years ago this August, worlds collided, fireworks went off, and angels sang.
Actually, none of that really happened. But, a nice girl met a nice boy and both unwittingly stumbled into something much more amazing than either could have known.
Liz was on shift waitressing, when her best friend Katie stopped in to visit with two friends… one of whom was the infamous Josh.
Liz had heard about Josh, but didn’t give his visit a second thought… until she saw him, and proceeded to spill a salad on his feet.
The two became fast friends, and though they had just met, found themselves often thinking the same thing at the same time. Hours were spent on the phone, faces sore from smiling so much, eyes teary from laughing so hard.
After weeks of trying to convince Josh (and herself) that she didn’t want to start a relationship, Liz conceded, and on the evening of October 11th, they kissed.
Fast-forward nearly two and a half years to March 12th… Josh had gotten through all of the difficult stuff: paying for the diamond, asking Liz’s dad for permission, and keeping the whole process a secret. Now for the big event.
Knowing that Liz was the kind of girl who doesn’t think something needs to be flashy or public to be meaningful, Josh planned a simple evening out together. He took Liz for a coffeedate in the city, one of their favorite ways to spend an evening.
While walking through Washington Square Park, Josh reminded Liz of the time they spent there at the beginning of their relationship. The two laughed and reminisced about park bench discussions, jumping in puddles, and how much really hasn’t changed since then.
They stopped at Café Mocha, a tiny hole-in-the-wall coffee place they frequented when they first started dating. Josh found a private table in a corner, looking out on the street. The two sipped lattes and commented on the new art on the walls. Liz asked why Josh was so jittery… he blamed the coffee. Conversation eventually came back to how long they’d been together.
Josh showed Liz the necklace he was wearing... two angel wings on a silver chain. She had given it to him for their first Christmas, saying that he protected her like a guardian angel. He asked if she remembered. Liz laughed, "I'm so cheesy."
He smiled and said, "I want to protect you forever. Will you marry me?"
Liz had a panicky moment where she couldn't decide if he was kidding or not... she felt her face flush as she realized he couldn't be serious. "Stop it."
"No, I'm serious." He fumbled in his pocket for the ring box and got down on one knee beside her. "I love you so much."
The tears started right away. Taken away by the ring, the moment, the surprise of everything, Liz blubbered on about how much she loved him.
She started to take the ring out of the box, and then asked him to put it on for her.
He chuckled and said, "You still haven't said yes..."
Liz nodded adamantly, a teary grin spread across her face.
They walked from Cafe Mocha to their favorite spot, Sassafras, for a celebratory drink. Sitting by the fireplace, Liz and Josh relished all of the congratulations and free drinks and happy looks as they started to plan a life together.
