​

The Dream

 

​

The day was Wednesday, March 28, 2012. We have been at Disneyworld for about four days already. We've been to three parks in the last three days; going to one park each day: Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, respectively. Now it was Wednesday. It was around 8PM and we had walked around Epcot's World Showcase. As we were walking around the lake, we would pass by various country showcases. We passed by the Meso-American pyramids in Mexico, the Stave Church of Norway, the Temples of China, a 16th century plaza in Germany, Venice in Italy, the Colonial Plaza of the United States, the Gardens of Japan, the Koutoubia Minaret of Morraco, the cobble stone streets of England, the Canadian Rockies of Canada, and finally, the Eiffel Tower of France.
​



It was a romantic stroll going around the lake. We had a fabulous time in Florida, so far. Since we were 2500 miles from home, we were able to leave our cares behind and have a great time. What a perfect time to ask! So under the Eiffel Tower, I looked straight into Deanna's eyes, told her I loved her, and got down on one knee and I asked her to be my wife. Deanna's eyes lit up and after I asked her, she quickly responded with a, "YES!" The people that heard my proposal quickly turned their heads our way and when they saw us hug each other with uncontainable excitement, all of France, although just about 4000 square feet, clapped with happiness at the "happiest place on Earth."



This was the perfect proposal! Who could ask for anything more? This is how I dreamt my proposal to Deanna would go. But, of course, not everything ever goes according to plan.

​





















 

 

The Reality



The day was in fact, March 28th. We went to Epcot early to beat the crowds. I didn't want to be waiting in line for a ride a 8pm (the time I planned on proposing to her) so I decided to finish with the rides early so we could enjoy a leisurely pace once we were done with the rides. We got to Epcot at 9am, opening time, and we were finished with Epcot's theme park section at about 2PM. We started walking around the World Showcase. The weather was hot and we were zipping through the showcases. Needed to stall quick! How can I delay going around the showcases for 6 hours? I suggested that it was too hot (it was around 84F). We decided to go back to the hotel room until it got cooler. We got back to the hotel at around 4PM. We would wait until 7PM to head back out to Epcot, right when the sun was setting. The only problem was, the heat got the best of us and we ended up taking a nap!



After realizing that we fell asleep, I quickly got up to check the time. 8:30PM! No problem. Quickly got ready, walked to the Monorail station and got to Epcot at 9PM. Got out our annual passes to go through the turnstiles. The turnstiles wouldn't take our card. The Disney cast member told us that Epcot was CLOSED! How could this be? An amusement park closing at 9PM? REAL amusement parks close at midnight! Why didn't Epcot!? My ideal proposal was destroyed. How could I propose to Deanna under the Eiffel Tower when we couldn't even get in? Deanna deserved a perfect proposal. I had failed. I didn't want to propose to Deanna the next day because tomorrow was our check out date where we would move from a Disney resort to a non-Disney resort. The ambience was different if I were to propose to her after waking up in a hotel, driving 20 minutes to the parking lot, taking the tram to the Transportation Center, and taking the monorail to Epcot. A journey of about an hour and a half. Unacceptable! My honeybee deserves better than that!



Okay, time for plan B. After realizing there was no hope in getting in, we decided to finish Epcot tomorrow. So we decided to go eat back at our resort. Heard there were good snacks to buy there. Everyone was talking about the pork nachos on Yelp. However, we decided to go to the hotel room first to drop off our backpack and camera.



Once we got to our room, we dropped off our stuff and headed back outside towards the Cafe of the Polynesian Resort. The path to the Great Ceremonial House (where the cafe was) was alongside the resort beach. I told her I wanted to sit down on a swinging chair since the water parade was going on. Imagine Disney's Electrical Parade, but instead on water.



It was nice. Watching the parade floating across the lake. Seeing the Magic Kingdom on the other side of the lake illuminated by the lights with Cinderella's Castle in the middle. Deanna sitting next to me, in my arms. All the kids were either sleeping or still at the parks. The area around us was quiet. The moment was magical. Now was the perfect time!



"Wow, the view is so pretty." I told her as we were cuddled together on the swinging chair.

"Yeah, it's nice," Deanna replied.

"It's pretty cool that we're here in Florida together," I continued, "It's funny how all in one day, we were able to go around the world together, have food in Germany, and end up here in Hawaii. Would you consider this a big trip?"

"Yeah, it is." she agreed.

"You know, I love you and..." HONK!!

"Anyway, Deanna, you know I love you. I..." HONK!!



Annoyed at the honk that was interrupting my flow, I decided to see what was causing all the commotion. It turns out, it was the Disney ferry trying to dock on the pier. the honking was the horn to indicate the event.



Deanna got up. "Let's go get some pork nachos." walking towards the Great Ceremonial House.



I stopped her and told her that, I wasn't done saying what I was about to say. We were standing there, on the sand, between the swings and the pathway.



"Deanna, we've been around the world today and end up here in Hawaii. I love you. I want to love you forever. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.



I got down on one knee.



"What are you doing?! Let's go get some pork nachos!" Deanna exclaimed.



I took the ring out of my pocket.



"Deanna, will you marry me?" I asked.



"YES," she said with surprise.



Those three letters never sounded so surreal! Filled with excitement, I kissed and hugged my best friend; my fiance, my future wife, my lovely Deanna.

​

Disneyworld now holds a special place in our hearts. Disneyworld has always been the happiest place on Earth and is known for having your dreams come true. Starting March 28, 2012 at about 10:00PM, I am happy to know that for the rest of my life, I am able to wake up next to a beautiful girl; that I have the most thoughtful, caring, warm-hearted girl who will always stand by me; that I have a lifetime hockey partner; that I get to take care of of Deanna; that I will always protect her and always make her feel safe; Needless to say, my dreams definitely came true at Disneyworld.