It all started when I received an email from my Aunt Nony for an Invitation to a party for my mother’s 65th Birthday, which would take place in a few weeks. For those who do not know my family, we always do something interesting and fun such as hosting karaoke or casino nights, and even acting out skits to movies. So I thought nothing out of the ordinary.

A couple minutes after arriving they told me that they wanted me to be their guinea pig for the skit they have been working on for my mother. I remember asking “You guys actually think my mom is going to sit on the back of the car?” I truly didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary and I was definitely in for the shock of my life with what came next. My cousin Dave, comes out with his guitar and tells me that the skit works best if I just stare forward and don’t turn my head.

He began playing a song on his guitar which I quickly realize is “Home” . It’s one of my favorite songs (It played in the very first movie Nahder and I watched together. In the video I actually say out loud “Aww it’s like my favorite song” and was thinking I know I like it but I wonder if my mom likes it. Then all of a sudden the music fires up in the car and Dave’s guitar fades out and I remember thinking “this is weird” and that they are going all out for my mom this year.

When we get to the bottom of the driveway I see my mom and her husband Jon I remember thinking this is silly. I started to think why is my mom here if this was supposed to be for her, but I was still clueless and I figured at this point that my mom was in on the skit. At the next part I see my Dad and his Fiancee, Leona, and I was in total shock! At this point I was thinking what is going on why would my dad be here. I thought it obviously is no longer for my mom but my mind was raising trying to figure out what other big event could bring my parents together and it couldn’t be my own birthday beings that it is another 4 months away. I was flat out confused until I saw all four of my best friends all come out together. It finally hit home that this was a proposal a few seconds after seeing them and you can even hear me say “OH GOD” when I finally realize it!
After that, more and more friends and family kept joining in and I could not have been more shocked and happy to have everyone come out and participate in this big performance. Not only was I emotional knowing this is a proposal, but I began tearing up just seeing all the support from everyone. It was really special seeing all they were willing to do to show how much they love us. It really just meant the world to me.

It’s hard to say what my favorite part was since I’m in love with the entire proposal start to finish. The top memory of the entire thing would have to be seeing Nahder calmly burst out of the house while I realized he actually recorded his voice over the song. The best part was he spoke perfectly along with it since that part was about meeting his girl for the first time. How could that not be my favorite part of the proposal, seeing my soon to be fiancé for the first time! Although this moment made me incredibly happy I recall shaking my head no in the video, but I was shaking no, as in, I cannot believe this is actually happening! No, as in, I cannot believe you put this all together! Then emotions switched, and I could no longer hide my smile or happiness because I realize this is happening and not only did he put all this together, but he did it all for me!

Other great moments that replay in my head is seeing the happiness on both my parents faces and best friends when they all appear in my view from the car for the first time. Then when two of Nahder’s brothers came out together playing on the trumpet’s. You can just tell how much fun they were having during all that. They probably took the trumpets home.

I still watch my proposal video over and over and each time I love it more. It’s perfect because not one of our friends are dancers, not a single person is a choreographer and somehow they all got together this day a few hours prior to my arrival and pulled it off. They put their hearts in it and turned it into perfection. They turned this day for Nahder and I into one of the most memorable days of our lives. Not many people can say their friends and family would do this for them, but mine did and I’m forever grateful to have them and forever grateful to my fiancé for putting this all together and giving me the surprise of my life! The best part about all of this, and I’m still in shock about this, is that they pulled this off without me having even the slightest clue.