A Proposal to Remember
Most unforgettable marriage proposal ever? A tricky sister and a just dessert equal romance
Editor's Note: Melissa Lopez was second runner-up in CultureMap's "A Proposal to Remember" contest. She wins a $50 gift certificate to Palazzo's Trattoria. Here's her winning entry:
At the time my sister was going through testing for some abnormal breast mammogram results and she called me one day and said she would love to have a girl's night out. I agreed, knowing that she probably needed to clear her head. We agreed to meet at her house, get ready together and head to the restaurant for dinner. She did my hair, my makeup, and even helped me pick out my outfit.
We drove to Ruth's Chris Steak House on Richmond where we had made reservations. They sat us in the private booth off in one of the corners of the dining area. She then said she needed to call her husband to let him know that we had made it to the restaurant OK because he had given us directions on how to get there.
I sat there looking at the menu and out of the corner of my eye I saw my boyfriend standing with a dozen red roses and smiling. I was so confused.
But she said she had no signal and had to go outside (This was her cue to go home.)
I sat there looking at the menu and out of the corner of my eye I saw my boyfriend, Gabriel, standing with a dozen red roses and smiling. I was so confused.
He sat down and explained he was told to be there at a certain time (making it seem like my sister planned all this for us) and that this beautiful young lady would be waiting for him at this booth. (I'm smiling just remembering that very moment.)
We ate dinner and had a good time talking, enjoying each other's company. The staff was wonderful, very prompt and really played a role in this upcoming scene.
Thinking that dinner was over with really no room for dessert, I started to suggest we go home. At that moment, the waitress came around the corner with dessert — creme brulee! As she set it on the table, right in the center next to the fresh strawberries and raspberries, was my engagement ring (my sister had left it with the waitress).
Before my sister left the restaurant she also left the camera with the waitress who so kindly took pictures of the memorable moment. It's so special now to look back and see pictures of my shocked face!
This year, we will be celebrating five years of marriage and I plan to take him back to Ruth's Chris Steak House. This time the creme brulee is going to have some new wedding bands. I'm excited!
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Read the winning entry and the first runner-up entry in the "A Proposal to Remember" contest, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Restaurant Association.
