The Proposal

Lauren and Danny met in their junior year of college.  Their common bond was a major in History and a love for United States history, especially during the 1960s.  This summer course is where they first met.  They were always first in the classroom, so they took the available time to talk about anything or quiz each other before an exam.  The way they made each other laugh, be sarcastic, be serious, listen intently, openly share personal subjects...They both wanted more than friendship after some time, but the question "Do you want to go out some time?" was never asked.  At the end of the course, she finished the final exam before he did and left knowing she may never see him again.  A summer friendship fling, she supposed.

Two years later, their paths crossed out of the blue.  She was finishing her undergraduate degree and he was working on his Master's thesis.

On one crisp and beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon, they bumped into each other just outside of her classroom.

"Oh sorry," she said without paying attention, head down.

"Lauren?"

She looked up to see him.  Her heart skipped a beat.  She couldn't believe this stroke of luck.

"Oh my gosh, Danny!  Hi."

"How are you...stranger?"

She lightly laughed and replied,

"Busy.  How are you?"

"Busy too.  The amount of work I have to put into my thesis is exhausting."

"Thesis.  Your Master's?"

"Yep."

"What is the subject matter?"

"Racial segregation in United States educational institutions as of Brown versus Board of Education."

"Impressive."

"Thank you.  Hey, um, do you want to get a cup of coffee or something some time?"

"Oh gosh, Danny, so much time as passed and I am really very busy.  Why didn't you ever ask me out then?"

"I...I was nervous.  I guess I was afraid I would wreck our friendship if I asked and you said no."

"I wouldn't have said no, Danny..."

She hesitated for a brief moment and replied,

"All right."

The cup of coffee lasted for hours...reminiscing, catching up, daydreaming their degree futures.  Their shared sense of humor was not lost.  Their respect of knowing when to be serious was not lost.  Track of time between then and now did not exist.  They were on the date meant to be so long ago.

Reminiscing led to a second date.

The second date led to more and into a relationship.

Lauren and Danny were meant to be, with shared interests and goals.  They made sense together.  They were perfect together.  They fell in love so many years ago, but never knew it.  Yet now they knew their love for each other was truly meant to be and in fact last.

On one crisp and beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon, on the campus where they first met, there was one question Danny needed to ask now -

"Lauren, will you marry me?"

Students passing by took notice and clapped for the couple's happiness.

She could not see the stunning diamond engagement ring for her swelling happy tears but could see him clear enough to say "Yes" and give him a loving yes.

Students stopping to clap for the couple's happiness collectively said "awe."

So many years ago, being asked out seemed to be the right question.  Now...the proposal was the perfect question.