The Perfect Picture
During the fourth year of our relationship, I knew Siobhan would be the one for me. Knowing how she cherishes romantic gestures and how I love performing them, I wanted to make our engagement extra special.
I decided that the event would take place on my 32 nd birthday in January; this way, I knew she would be pre-occupied since she would be planning for my special day. But what could I do to make it memorable? I knew the event had to be captured since a public engagement was out of the question, especially since Siobhan is quite shy. After discussing the idea over with my photographer friend, Timothy, we agreed that he would take the pictures on our day.
My next dilemma was to figure out how to propose to Siobhan without coming out directly and asking, “Will you marry me?” I wanted her to realize without even asking and before I made my “speech.” I did not discover until later that she would be the one to provide the answer to my predicament.
Siobhan was laid off from her job in December, and to keep busy, she started taking beading classes to design jewelry (Thanks to Melsa for introducing us to beads). She became very good at the craft and much of her time was spent twisting wire, making loops and reading books on beading. It was not long before I started to learn myself and gradually became more proficient. One day, while glancing through one of her bead books, the answer hit me smack in the face. Bead rings.
I would create a duplicate bead ring that would be similar to her round-cut diamond, platinum engagement ring. But instead of a diamond and platinum, the ring would consist of stainless steel and a clear, Swarovski crystal. This piece of craftwork would be an essential part of my proposal plan.
At the same time that the plan was brewing, Siobhan was preparing my birthday dinner at our loft. I told her that I decided to hire a personal chef for that day so we would not have to worry about cooking or picking up food. She thought it was a little bit overkill but I used the excuse that it was my birthday and I wanted something extra ordinary for that day. So, she reluctantly agreed.
Christmas and New Year’s past like a blur, and now, we were in January, my birthday month. I recruited Siobhan’s two sisters to help me implement my plan and provide re-direction when necessary. I also gathered up my birthday party guest list to send out emails about the birthday party transforming into an engagement party. The hard part was getting people close to her to come without her getting suspicious. The good thing is that I have grown pretty close to her girlfriends and inviting them was not an issue. As replies to the emails were coming in, excitement was building more and more. Everyone loves to be part of a secret.
A week before the proposal, I picked up the ring. It was so beautiful; I couldn’t wait to give it to her. There were actually a few times where I just wanted to straight out just hand it to her. It is so difficult to keep things from her – I wanted to explode. The funny thing is I hid the ring in a place she wouldn’t ever look: the laundry.
Okay. My hiding place was perfect. The plan to me was perfect. The weather, on the other hand, was not. It had been raining on and off for days and the weather man predicted showers on the 29 th. Oh man. I panicked. I didn’t want the photo shoot to be ruined by Mother Nature, but it looked like she was not going to help me out.
Days passed and the morning came. Even though it was my birthday, the best part was that the sky was blue! Extremely blue. I was ecstatic – but I was also super-nervous. This was the day when my life would begin again, akin to being reborn: my new birthday.
At noon , we arrived at Timothy’s studio and began shooting. The indoor shoots didn’t take too long, even with the wardrobe and hair and make-up changes. The hours flew by and soon, sunset would be arriving. This hour was essential to set the mood for the last photo scene.
We packed up our gear and headed for Alameda Beach , the final location for our shoot. Arriving earlier than expected, Timothy took several different shots of us to stall for more time to make the sunset scene even more perfect.
The last scene we decided would take place in the water, so the sunset, in all its wonderful colored glory, would be set as the backdrop. The stage was prepped and it was time for me to perform.
Naldo: “Hey, why don’t you wear the earrings I made to show off in the pictures? Or even better, the ring?”
Siobhan: (thinking) “What are you doing? We’re supposed to be posing!”
At that moment, I pulled out the ring (she is thinking that it is the beaded ring)
Naldo: “Well, if not that ring… how about this ring?”
Siobhan: (in shock, speechless)
Naldo : (kneeling in freezing water) “Siobhan, this is long overdue. I love you. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Siobhan: “Oh, Naldo. You are going to make me cry. Yes. I will.”
Then the flashes started to begin again.
- Reynaldo Pagtakhan & Siobhan Nimedez