The history making news had even reached the shores of the little remote island. The world was celebrating the first black American president.
In awe, she watched every news channel from their little bungalow. All the footage showing the cheering, the jubilation, the sense of victory and promise of change was palpable.
Close by, he was climbing back up the hill. Returning from a full afternoon in the water and the waves, he carried his heavy surfboard but his legs were in a rush. His brisk walk turned into a light jog. Unable to wait any longer, he decided today was the day.
**********
“Hey, let’s take a look at the sunset,” he said, pointing out to their balcony.
“But, the sunset’s over on the other side of the island…” she flatly replied.
He rolled his eyes, knowing that she was giving him smarty pants attitude again.
But she was serious.
“Why did we need to go outside? The air-conditioning is in here. And I wanna watch the news…” she grumbled to herself.
But, follow him she did.
And just as she was about to complain again, he dropped to one knee and presented her a little black velvet box.
“Lovey, here we are in your birth country…” his eyes started to well up and his voice began to quiver.
“I love you so much and among this beautiful scenery, I want to ask you…will you marry me?”
She immediately broke into tears of joy and while the sobs muffled her reply, accepting his heartfelt proposal she did. Grabbing and hugging him tight was the only way she could express her elation.
**********
On this secluded Balinese island, a newly engaged couple quietly enjoyed their modest dinner in a tiny thatch roofed hut. Overlooking the ocean, they happily discovered that while the world had changed that day, theirs had too.
Four years ago, among its dire economic situation, the disturbing rate of unemployment and poverty and the tragic, continuing war, the world’s most powerful country finally let the inevitable sea of change unfurl. And a black man raised by a single white mother from humble beginnings became President. He showed where dreams and ambitions could lead to.
***********
Even the thunderstorm couldn’t dampen the joy. Instead, the couple quietly watched the lightening brighten up the sky. Even nature joined in the celebrations. Somehow it knew that it was a night of exciting new beginnings; a time to look forward to the future.
What a beautiful story Grace, and what a magical time!
Happy anniversary!
I’m so happy that Obama was re-elected. He’s a wonderful man doing wonderful things! 🙂
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 8. The Ballet Of Boxing!
oh how beautiful! Happy times all round xxx
Shari recently posted..Wordless Wednesday … it’s the story of a girl and her cat
This gave me goose pimples. You have a beautiful way with words honey. Happy anniversay!
P.S. I had a little whinge before Matt proposed to me too. LOL
Penny recently posted..Hop, Stick and Jump into Animal Classification
What a beautiful post, Grace, you brought a tear to my eye. Much love to you x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..What I know about remembering
Just beautiful Grace. A lovely story well-told.
Oh that has made me feel all mushy inside.. What a gorgeous story and one you will not forget!!! Just beautiful! Xxxxx
I’m trying to come up with a different adjective than all the ‘beautifuls’ before me…but I’m having trouble!! Fabulously written 🙂 Happy Anniversary xx
kirri recently posted..Five signs you are in need of a site makeover
I love his post Grace, it’s just beautiful! And look at you and the Man, all sun-kissed. Gorgeous!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Online Shopping, It’s the Only Way to Go… now with added GIVEAWAY!
What a great story Grace. So Hollywood like. Hope you guys have a wonderful rest of your lives together. Have fun on your trip.
Salz recently posted..Lebanese-Greek wedding
You’ve got such an engaging writing style, love it. Beautiful story x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Liebster Love
So romantic! Beautifully written! Happy anniversary!
Rita recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Quebec City in winter
Oh, your proposal story brought a tear to my eye! What a man. And serendipitous that you’re off to Bali again just when Obama is voted in again… Exciting new beginnings indeed! Thinking of you as you embark on a whole new adventure. xx
Deb @ Bright and Precious recently posted..Getting On With The Show
Beautiful story weave Grace-ie! 🙂
ava recently posted..Now My Dog
Oh Grace, I’m crying!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..GIVEAWAY – Promote your blog and win!
Awwwww. Happy Anniversary!
Emma recently posted..Yarnbombing Vine
What a gorgeous story Grace!! Written with such nostalgia. What a gorgeous couple you are and what an even gorgeouser family you have created. God Bless you both.
Beautiful story – beautifully written – Happy Anniversary!
Mud Hut Mama recently posted..A Malawian Wedding Reception
What a coincidence – I blogged about my engagement story today too. Yours is much more dramatic and romantic than mine. Two thumbs up for the surfer dude.
Wishing you many, many more years of happiness together.
Mumabulous recently posted..A Decent Proposal
Beautiful! Lovely story Grace
Rita
🙂
Rita Cincotta recently posted..What’s in a name?
Oh wow, Grace. How incredibly romantic!
Jayne recently posted..What I Know About {Remembering}
Happy anniversary Grace!
Danya Banya recently posted..Five Awesome Projects on my To Do List (6-10)
This made me cry. So beautifully written full of hope and joy. Congratulations on 4 years, here’s to many more. xoxox
Bridget recently posted..Teenagers Are Bad People
Grace – what a beautiful story and so well written.
It must be a week of anniversaries. My husband celebrated our meetaversary (on Melbourne cup day) and our wedding anniversary the following day. Good week for it!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Leanne@Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1130 – Beautiful Lengths
That’s lovely. I also love that you were wanting to watch the news and had to be dragged outside…heehee.
I was in Bali in the campaign of that election and loved that there were articles about Obama daily in the newspaper (that and the price of Tempeh had sky rocketed!). I learnt more about Obama from that week in Bali than I did from reading his books. (Though I LOVED The Audacity of Hope and don’t understand why the other book was so popular.)
Congratulations!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. Part 2 (More Misconceptions)
Beautiful story, Grace. I love hearing about people’s engagement stories. Happy Anniversary.
Sim recently posted..I need to find my village
Aw Grace that is so beautiful! I had tears!
I hope you enjoy your holiday, and I cant wait to see your photos. The boys are going to love it as much as you do.
iSophie recently posted..A Royal rainy rendezvous in Richmond.
Beautiful story Grace. Amd happy wedding anniversary 🙂
Jess@EssentiallyJess recently posted..Jess’ Countdown to Awesome- Update 1
Wow, beautifully written Grace. Happy Anniversary.
Jo recently posted..My Persephone
Aaaaawww I love good proposal story. My own proosal was marred by the fact that i informd the manager of a beautiful restaurant that I was going to come back that week and pop the question. It was all too much for the gay waiter that was serving us who giggled and generally acted very suspisciously the entire night until it was fairly obvious something was going on, not sure it was a massive surprise by the time i made it onto one knee.
What a lovely story 🙂
I remember that I was teaching on the day Obama was elected. My year 7s were fiercely interested in the news, and were terribly disappointed that the final result came through while they were at their LOTE lesson 🙂
Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader recently posted..Home Organisation 101: My Messy Big Secret
Beautiful post Grace.
Lisa recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: View
Beautiful, just beautiful. xx
Rhianna recently posted..Mo Growing For Movember
Oh Grace – you made me teary! What a beautiful story! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Look at you now – mamma to beautiful twin boys! I too am in awe of Obama and so relieved he got back in this election. Have a wonderful time on your holiday in Bali … Min xo
Min of MinsMash recently posted..365 Grateful – Day 47
Lovely story Grace!
Obama rocks 🙂
Pam recently posted..And the word for today is: Tubectomy
Great story – and so topical! Hope you’re enjoying a fabbo holiday.
Oh bless! x
That was a lovely story Grace – congratulations on your wedding anniversary too!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..A Sprinkling of Thankfuls
Such a beautiful post, Happy anniversary Grace! xx
Me N my Monkeys recently posted..What Brings you By?
Life really does go in circles, don’t it. And yet, we’re always surprised when cool things happen.
Nami recently posted..That’s What I Want