On The Day of Hearts

This day has been filled with so much emotions.... let me digress..

before we left for manila, horacio suggested that we return to work after valentine's day, so that we would be able to spend valentine's day together with no hassle. so, we scheduled it and got approved...

while in manila, horacio has been insisting to by dress pants and dress shirts... for no apparent reason. i remember telling my sister that i feel like he has something planned out for valentine's day, and all my sister told me was that if he is, don't do anything and spoil the surprise. so, i tried to behave myself.. no questions, no prying.

when we got back to new york, horacio had asked me to just take it easy and get enough rest (since i wasn't feeling my best) and that he wants me to be well for the 14th. the 13th came, and he told me that we had to leave the house at 10 in the morning dress casual and warm, but at night, we had to dress nicely (formal). i was curious... i tried to ask questions, but he wasn't letting in, not even the destination.

the 14th came, woke up at 9 am and got ready. dressed warm enough. we left at 10:10 and took the train, the only hint i got... we're taking the 2 train to bronx. on the way to the bronx, i tried to kept guessing.. but still nothing from him. when we reached 174th street station, he told me that we'd be getting off the next stop.. i wondered what's in the next stop... as soon as we got out of the station, i saw a sign "Bronx Zoo". then i almost shrieked, we're going to the bronx zoo!! i thought to myself, well, he's been wanting to go there but i kept cancelling on him since it was cold and all... i guess this was his way of getting me to go there with him without giving him any type of excuse why we shouldn't go.

we got to bronx zoo, paid entrance, then i mentioned to him how this was the place where our first date was.. and he smiled and said yeah.. then i told him.. although, it was warmer and a lot more people.. he then replied, well, it was in april!

then we walked... went to look for the giraffes, tried to coax them into coming out from their hinding.. and coaxed other animals too. we were like young kids having fun. then we went to the place he loves the most.. the gorillas! we saw the baby gorillas running around in circles, and there was a group of kids (on a field trip, i guess) that joined us, that was our cue to move along...

when we got out of the conga place, on the right side, i saw this nice pond. i asked him if we could pass by there since the view was so nice and i wanted to take pictures. the pond was frozen, it was tranquil, it was nice. we were taking pictures.. when all of a sudden, he became serious. he started to talk about how the zoo has a meaning to us, since that was the place where it all started (our first date). by now, i wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying.. i was just looking at his hands wondering, is he trying to propose to me? he is not reaching for his pockets... he's not trying to propose, is he? he knows not to propose on "special occassion" day... he's not proposing, is he?? then i hear him say that he had a little friend help him out in asking me a question.. i look around and try to search for any human body, ,wondering who's there? marleni? nancy? when he reached for his bag and took out this small little stuffed toy -- MIMOSA! (the first stuff toy he's given me, from the zoo!). around mimosa was a ribbon, with a ring on it!! i was so out of words.. i felt like i was gonna cry at the same time i was telling myself not to cry... then he asked me the ultimate question - will you marry me? of course... i started to kiss him and said.. Yes.***

we started to call family and friends who has been a part (and behind) all the planning... then went home. we called more people... most people were happy, some were, let's say not expecting this thing to happen so soon.

then, he told me that we had to leave by 4:30.. so by 4, i started to get ready to leave... again, he wouldn't let in on where we were going. my only clue was, we were going to the meat packing district.

when we got there.. the restaurant's name sounded familiar.. Morimoto. he looked at me and asked me if the name sounded familiar. my head was just blank.. then he said.. iron chef? i was like... iron chef morimoto!!! i was... how are you able to pull this things for me?? i was astounded. the dinner was yummy (as usual!) we saw the chef, but was too shy to have our pictures taken. he looked friendly though, but he just kept a low profile. i was full by the time they served the kobe beef (yes, i finally have tried kobe beef.. and it was... no words to describe it!). we talked about how our family reacted.. we also decided to let the whole thing sink in first before we really start planning...

so yeah... i got engaged on a valentine's day. cliche, i know.. but it just gave the number 14 a whole new meaning for me. :) i think i am the happiest girl alive today. and i have horacio to thank for, for he is the cause of my happiness. :)

*** upon proposing, he took out his ipod and started to play our song... he had a playlist ready just for the occassion!! hehehe... i used to tease him before (even before we started going out) that he always have a background music in everythin he does, for he always have earphones on him!