We gush when a friend shows off the rock on her finger. We weep as she walks down the aisle. But guaranteed to make us swoon even more is when we find out that very important step that launched the relationship into a journey to forever-how the question was popped.

By Cessna M. Papas

Will you marry me?

Four simple words that will take two people’s lives to a whole new direction. While a guy must be sure the girl loves him with all her heart, he would do everything he could to make sure he gets a “yes."

Kelly is a private person, so Chris knew proposing in a restaurant would just make her feel self-conscious. And she loves tulips. Chris then arranged for a vacation with Kelly in Holland, Michigan. They stayed in a bed and breakfast with a Tulip Room adorned with pictures of tulips. Chris put so much thought in creating a setting that was just right for Kelly, and when he finally asked her to marry him, a “yes" made the day just perfect.



Aileen was cruising along the Xcelerator Zipline in Davao when at the other end, she found her friend holding a huge tarpaulin that said, “Sweetie, Will You Marry Me?" Beside their friend was Jay, explaining to her how he and his friends planned for that special moment. She was then wheeled in to where he stood. He whipped out the ring from his pocket, kneeled and said the words on the tarpaulin. You can bet Aileen and Jay weren’t the only one in tears.



Sometimes, something happens that ruins the grandest of plans. Mike was supposed to bring Roanne to a beautiful beach resort, the stage for his perfect proposal. Reservations were made, bags were packed, the ring was waiting patiently in his pocket, when Mother Nature decided to bring a storm so violent, they had no choice but to cancel the trip. But Mike was determined. He said, “My plans may have been cancelled, but my decision to marry you remains." If the storm was a test, then he passed it with flying colors.



And then there was Patrick who was all set to pop the question when his date with Cookie turned into an argument. He stood up and got ready to leave, but not before putting a brown bag on the table, which Cookie promptly threw in the trash can. But the angels were on Patrick’s side. They coaxed the very angry Cookie to fish the bag from the trash, and she saw the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen. She ran outside just before Patrick was about to get in his car. And yes, the lovers’ quarrel quickly fizzled out.



Jemps, on the other hand, knew Jason so well she could easily find out his secret plans before he managed to execute them. So he decided that the best way to propose should be during an ordinary day, as the two went on with their daily routine. Besides, he didn’t want an elaborate proposal that might pressure her into saying “yes;" he wanted her real answer. They were getting ready to go to the gym when he asked him to marry her. And there he got her real answer.

I think my husband’s proposal remains the simplest of all. We were just watching TV in our living room when he decided it was time to ask. He didn’t have banners, or flowers, not even a ring (it came weeks later). The decision was made in the moment. He just knew it was me, and it was time.

But whether a proposal is very simple or grand, each one is sure to make us feel giddy. After all, it’s not just how the question was asked, it’s the fact that each proposal was made because of love so great, they ought to get married.