Indeed, he got me!

Here's how it happened...
     I was expecting my boyfriend, Eric, to fly in from Hawaii for a week-long visit.  He was to get to me here in Gwangju on Sunday, September 4th, late at night.  This was not ideal scheduling, but we were excited to see each other after many loooong months apart.  I was trying frantically to get things done "ahead" at work, so that I could spend as much time as possible with my Eric.
  Friday (September 2nd), we had a Girl's Night planned with two of my best girl friends.  After work, we would go to dinner and chat a bit; then see what the night would bring us... perhaps some sangria and chocolate cake? (Little did I know then that, later this night, I would get something so much better!) 
  After the girl's night, my friend, Anna, was supposed to come over to watch girl-ish movies and help me clean my house! (Eric was coming two days later.)  We also had many plans for Saturday... so she would just stay at my house and we could go from there.
  Andrea (the other friend) came over to go "shopping" in my closet... but then changed back into her own outfit.  (This perhaps should have been a clue.)  I half wanted to stay in my work clothes (it's such a comfortable dress) - but the girl's talked me into changing into a newer little dress.  We even decked me out with some different jewelry; but they stopped me at wearing the BIG purple "candy" ring.  (Again, perhaps this should have been a clue?) 
   So off we went to dinner.  It was good food (one of our favorite Italian places here in Korea) with even better fellowship.  It was so good to talk to the girls, as we are all super busy.  One is married and one has a a boyfriend, which is fantastic, but also means limited time just to talk girl talk. Of course, the girls kept texting... and I was like, "It's GIRL'S NIGHT.  Turn off your phones, ladies!"  They were dying laughing that I was getting irked... They even suggested that the boys come out later and meet us for a bit.  Ugh. Um, GIRL'S night...

Girl's Night Begins

  After dinner, we were going for chocolate cake.  I made the girls detour to look at something in a shop I liked.  Then we detoured to Mini Stop so I could load my bus card. They kept texting, especially Anna, and I was like, "Talk to Ben LATER."  Ha ha.  Then I had them detour somewhere else - but we eventually got our cake.  We decided to take it to go and headed to a roof-top bar (Mix) to lounge about a bit.  This is sort-of like just going to a friend's house and sitting on the back patio.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) had a bottle of wine in her purse... so we got little dixie cups and took our cake to the rooftop.
   We talked some more and played one of my most favorite new games, it's using the camera on Anna's camera on the "distortion" setting.  It's really fun!
  When our cake was almost gone, as I was playing with the camera phone, Anna looked up.  She casually said, "Oh Hannah, looks like the boys are here."  I slowly turned to say a polite, "Hi Ben.  Hi Karl."  However, I saw ERIC walking towards me!!!!!!!!

 Hannah, greeting Eric

   WARNING: For my mother and others who are like mothers to me (you know who you are) --  Yes, my dress is short in this; I DID have little black shorts on under it.  Also, there is some kissing and whatnot... we were getting engaged!

  I was in utter shock!  I jumped up, nearly knocking over the table and my chair.  I ran to hug him.  I almost jumped up, all critical-moment-in-a-movie style, wrapping my legs around him, but stopped myself because thought it might hurt him.  (He is a very strong man, but I am a bit heavy).  This is good that I stopped, as my shirt was a bit high.  (Hey, I thought it was just girl's night when I got dressed.)
  I just kept hugging (and kissssing) Eric.  I was def. surprised to see him here, two days early.  All the others seemed to melt away.  I sort-of introduced my friends, which was super silly because of course he knew the boys, they had just picked him up from the bus station.  I kept hugging Eric, and didn't want to let go.  The girls were like, "Hey, Hannah, the boy is tired.  Why don't you let him sit down." Their attempts to help Eric were to no avail. I heard them, but I kept hugging him.  I was way too excited to just sit down!

 Hannah kept hugging Eric.  Note that look of sheer happiness. This is one of my fav. pics. from the night - and he hadn't even asked me anything yet!  I was just super excited to see him!!!

  A few minutes later, I did agree to sit down and let Eric rest a bit, but only as long as I could still sit right by him and hold his hand.  I sat down, but he moved the chair...
  When I saw Eric kneeling down (notice him on one knee - still taller than the rest of us sitting in normal patio chairs; ha!) - and I slowly started to process what was happening, I didn't really believe it.  I was just in shock that he was even really there!  I knew that he might be proposing while here (we have talked about marriage and whatnot) - but I figured he would make me wait all week or something, just to mess with me.
  So he kneels down.  Our eyes meet and I say, "YES!"  He was like, "Hannah, my love, let me ask you."  Ha ha.  He proceeded... and I was expecting it to be a plastic ring or something (it most def. wasn't) and him to say, "Hannah. (pause) Are you surprised that I am here?" -- but he didn't.
  Once Eric opened the ring box, I was having trouble focusing on what he was saying.  (Hey, it was just so pretty and shiny... sparkly things sometimes distract me!)  So this is especially nice to have a video.
  The video is below.  Only after my response was clarified for the others did I notice that both Andrea and Anna had their cameras out.  They were recording and snapping pictures so that my mother could later share in this moment.  It's funny and wonderful and exciting.  Enjoy.

 Two of Eric's "accomplices" - Andrea and Karl

The other two "accomplices" for Eric - Ben and Anna.

 

[THANK YOU to all for their help and photography skills in this adventure, 

and their continued support as they share in our joy.]

  My Eric is incredible!  He was trying so hard to SURPRISE me.  About a year ago, I mentioned in a conversation that I love surprises, but that I can be difficult to surprise.  He was then on a mission.  Since the proposal itself wasn't hugely unexpected, he decided to mess with the timing a bit.  I really was surprised, and ecstatic!  I am honored to be Eric's fiance. I will be Eric's wife!  Praise the Lord!

 Group Shot -- and Eric is still kissing Hannah.  Tee he he.

    At one point, he commented about his success with surprising me.  He said, "So you were actually surprised?  I got you!"

The happy couple - ENGAGED Hannah and Eric. 

(He doesn't look tired from traveling at all - he is so very handsome.)

   This is the FULL video.  Anna was trying to capture my reaction and the proposal.  Notice how long it takes them to get me to sit down.  Eric's knees were shaking a bit.  I thought he was tired from traveling, but actually he was just getting a little nervous and I wouldn't sit down.  I didn't want to sit down.  I wanted to hug my Eric!

    Yes, he did get me; and I am so thankful and happy!