Foundation Laid

To preface the story, Neal and I met working at Leading Edge, the science fiction and fantasy journal published by BYU.  We were humble slush readers, spending at least two nights each week (and sometimes Saturday mornings) bemoaning the reveling in the short stories sent our way.  Perhaps I'll post more about how we met and started dating, but for right now, it's enough to know that no one at Leading Edge had any clue we were dating (we thought it would be more fun to sneak hand-holds under the table than to announce our relationship publicly to them) and that Leading Edge has a tradition of writing "Today is ______ Day" on the white board, obviously changing with movie premiers, holidays, and other themes.

So, Tuesday, September 21, 2010.  I had been studying in the library after school from 5:00 until 7:30, when LE starts.  I hadn't seen Neal all day and was slightly disappointed that I would once again have to pretend that we were no more than casual acquaintances after such a long day (I start work at 8:00 AM, just for your information.  Nearly every day is that long).  I walked up the stairs to the writing room, where Neal was sitting closest to the door, and I took the open seat to his right.  On the board he had written "Today is Multiple* Day(s)", with the asterisk referenced in another part of the board: "Will be explained later."

To be honest, I knew what was going on, and I knew that his proposal was going to happen tonight.  I got nervous initially about having our reveal of our relationship be asking for my hand in marriage, and I turned pretty clammy and excused myself to the bathroom to wash up a bit.  I came back up to the slush room and pretended to read "Seeking Kailash," which I had been working on for weeks and was only about halfway through.  Around 8:15, some voice around the table asked for the explanation with the asterisk, and Neal stood up.  My heart raced.  Apparently, we were both shaking at this point in time.

Neal erased "Multiple" from the board and rewrote the greeting to say "Today is Harvest Day."  He explained that this was one of the days fall equinox can land on in a year and that it was also the anniversary of when the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith and told him that the harvest where we may begin to reap the rewards of what had been sown had begun.  This theme has personal significance to both Neal and me, and that's enough for divulging on this blog.  I knew what he was talking about, and everyone else kind of nodded and went along with it.

Neal erased this message and then changed the message to "Today is The Twist that No One Saw Coming Day."  Needless to say, he didn't do too much explaining on this point.  Everyone in the room provided their own witty commentary and movie references, as per usual.  I'm sure I heard something about "Inception" at some point in this brief conversation.

Finally, Neal erased the message one last time, writing on the board, "Today is Nyssa, Will You Marry Me? Day."

The room fell completely silent.  No one knew what to make of this; I'm sure they were wondering whether or not it was a joke.  Then Neal walked over to my chair, got down on one knee and presented me the ring box.  I'm sure he said something at that point, but my brain was so completely addled and racing that I don't much remember what was said after that, except that Joe thought that this was indeed a great twist.  I have yet to see Peter's reaction.  But really, still the most perfect moment and method I could have asked for.

Dear Neal,
You are amazing and I love you.  Let's get married or something.
--Nyssa

Info:
December 28, Oakland Temple.  Receptions still TBA.

Update:

I think that about sums it up.