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Rachel and I carpool to work. This morning, as we do every Monday, we stopped at the grocery store to do some grocery shopping. I stopped at the gumball machines, paid $0.25 for the perfect engagement ring, and secreted it into my pocket before Rachel could get a good look at it.

After work, I officially asked Rachel to join me on a date (a first). She knew I was going to propose today, so she asked that however I decide to do it, that I should make it a surprise. I grumbled at my circumstance, having no time apart from her to conspire. I even told her my idea, which was to have a scarecrow in the yard with a sign saying Marry Me and the engagement ring around its neck. We went straight home and did the usual chores and dinner with the family.

After dinner with the family, I took Rachel to see a movie in the theater called The Flyboys. Great movie, by the way, especially the skydiving scene.

It was dark by the time the movie let out. While driving home, I started talking about maybe proposing on the Full Moon instead. Rachel, convinced I wasn’t going to propose afterall, was just beginning to let me have it when my headlights caught their first glimpse of a scarecrow in the front yard.

She fell silent and waited for the lights to give her a second look. I pulled into the driveway and the headlights lit up a scarecrow. Her first words were, “I hate you!” And then she started with this weird laugh that was kind of like hysteria and crying all at the same time. After a few moments we came to the scarecrow and there it was. A sign saying “Marry Me Rachel -Roger Brown” and the $0.25 engagement ring hanging on a silver chain around its neck.

The family came out from hiding (I texted them when the movie ended) and they stood in the doorway, taking pictures and laughing with Rachel. She was giddy as a schoolgirl, and definitely surprised. I got on one knee and popped the question while she put on the ring. I stood up and we had our first kiss.

Rachel wanted to know how I managed the scarecrow. While she was getting ready for our date after dinner, I had a quick pow wow with my nieces Tasia and Sami and gave them the ring. While Rachel and I were at the movie, the family went to work on the scarecrow and sign. Sami even donated her necklace chain to the cause.

I love my family. Go team!