What a WONDERFUL Weekend

So, as many of you know, Dave's mom and I recently took a little weekend trip with her seventh and eighth graders to New York on their semiannual field trip. This is a field trip I have been hearing about for the last TWO years. A field trip Dave has been pushing me to go on since he came back two springs ago. Yes, I must admit, I was slightly apprehensive about traipsing off with 40 middle school kids, but to tell you the truth, I had more fun than I remember having on my own field trips... And I'll tell you why!

After getting over the 3 A.M. wake up in order to get to the airport in enough time to get bodies accounted for and baggage claimed, I found myself utterly excited. I was about to embark on an adventure I had NEVER been on before. From skyscrapers and underwater tunnels to thousands of different languages being spoken at every turn, this was NOTHING like "sweet home Alabama". We did the normal tourist things, shopping on 5th Avenue, a Broadway show - Shrek, but unlike most young people my age, I was yearning for those monumental landmarks, those things that have made such an impact on our nation's history (little did I know, the price I would pay for that would be 15 miles worth of walking - ha!). But, as Friday and Saturday quickly disappeared the one place I had been looking forward to was approaching quickly.

On the agenda for Sunday morning was time in Central Park. This, my friends, was what I had been waiting for all weekend (besides getting to go into Tiffany's on Friday of course, but that's another story). With beautiful landscapes and historical landmarks just beyond each bend of the path, I was so excited to see all of these things one grows up hearing about. Much to my surprise, others on this trip had their reasons for looking forward to Central Park as well. As we entered the park at Strawberry Fields, Doug, our tour guide, explained its history and purpose while I, per usual, was trying to get the other non-English speaking tourist out of the way in order to get a good picture. In the process, Sandye starts waving for me to come to the front so she can take my picture and get Doug to tell me a little about Central Park. Now normally she would have taken the picture and given me my camera back, but on this occassion, she did not, but I didn't think much of it. While walking Jana calls and I can hear Sandye tell her that we are about to come around the corner at Bethesda Terrace and they quickly say their "good bye's". I make a small comment that it's unlike Jana to be up at such an hour, but once again, think nothing of it. We get to the top of the terrace and I stand in awe of the view. Sandye quickly insists that I take the long walk of stairs to the fountain in order for her to take a picture. She says, "Loren, you see that wizard down there? Go stand by him so I can get your picture." Reluctantly, I begin thinking to myself, "Um hum... This guy is a homeless man dressed up like a wizard, begging for food and she wants me to do what"? But (as my mom taught me) I followed directions and started walking. I didn't get far before turning around to glance back, hoping she would tell me I had gone far enough. But I hadn't. So I continued down a few more stairs, until again, I turned, hopping she would say, "ok". Oh, but no. She made me go ALL THE WAY to the fountain. And yes, I am still thinking that I am going to be kidnapped by the homeless wizard.

While standing in the front of the fountain, waiting for Sandye to take my picture (God knows it felt like an eternity), this voice from behind my left shoulder said, "Hey, I think I know you". And before I could lose my breakfast, run or start crying because I felt my fear had come true, Dave Ashley appeared.

{Side Note: Dave and his dad were supposed to be in Talladega all weekend at the race - NOT in New York}.


Long story short (and because I honestly don't remember half of what he said), all I could get out was, "What are you doing here". After saying that about 25 times, Dave finally looked at me, told me to shut up and pulled a little black crushed velvet looking ring box out of his pants pocket. At this moment, I felt like I was living the very fairy tale every little girl hopes to have. While on his knee, a man playing the saxophone stepped out of the alcove, making every moment of this once in a lifetime event absolutely SPECTACULAR!



Kevin, the guy that had taken our group photo in Times Square on Friday night, had been capturing this whole thing with his camera. So, as I sit here, I am anxiously awaiting a nice little package from this wonderful man with (hopefully) the most beautiful pictures ever! Until then, though, here are some pics that Sandye took from the top of the terrace. I wish you ALL could have been there, but hopefully these picture will make you feel as if you were!


We took this picture in the lobby of the Met in front of this wonderful arrangement. It truly is one of my favorite photos of us!