Ours was not a usual proposal. With all of Mike's flair and creativity, one would expect an out-of-this-world manner of proposing. I have to admit, I did too. But as I have always believed of Mike, there's more to him than what meets the eye. From the very day we started talking about getting married, he was really the one who openly exhibited his excitement. All he could talk about were his plans - the church, the concept, the songs. In fact, he has a compilation of hard-to-find love songs which he wanted to use for the wedding.

When he told me he already wanted to book the church in the soonest time possible, I knew this was something serious. He immediately talked to my parents because his parents would not want to make reservations until we have had our formal engagement. The engagement dinner was scheduled for May 11, 2004, a Tuesday.

The date was May 10, Monday. Yes, election day. Indeed, it was not anybody's ordinary day, after all it was a holiday. I woke up early to vote not so much of my excitement to elect from slim-pickings but only because I wanted to avoid the long queues lest I suffer from suffocation (if you know what I mean). Anyway, it was an extended Mother's Day celebration for my Mom since I promised to treat her and my family out to lunch.

We headed to Galleria for lunch. Window-shopped with my sisters a little. At about 2:00 in the afternoon, there he was in front of Bayo, my favorite shop.