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Weeks and weeks prior to the proposal, my friends (the tribe) and I had made plans to go "ghost hunting." I know it’s weird, but my friends in college had done this often. It’s not really hunting, just exploring creepy places at night. Andy explained it best as a goth version of cow tipping. We’d wander around woods or cemeteries looking for cheap thrills. I don't think any of us ever expect to see ghosts or even believe in them, but I love to feed my overactive imagination. So this ghost hunting was supposed to happen the weekend of July 10. Our friend Alex couldn't go because of a wedding, so we rescheduled it for July 17. Everything the tribe does together begins as an email to everyone. It often gets out of hand with everyone replying. This reply-all email chain talked about drinking in the woods and scaring each other. Everyone was planning on going. I had been busy the past few weeks at work, so I didn't participate in all the reply-alls. I also was pretty ambivalent about the ghost hunting.
Andrew was very excited for the ghost hunting. He was trying to get me psyched to go also. Monica and Alex were planning to go ahead of time to set up the ribbons for people to follow and determine a meeting place. Monica sent detailed directions around to everyone. I printed them out and got ready to go.
So, Andy and I are driving at 10:30p.m. to find ghosts of the Civil War in Reston, VA. We get to the location and see Monica's car parked along side the road. I parked right in front of her and we start following the directions into the woods. We didn't have a flashlight, so I was using the light on our hi-8 camera as our means of getting around. I had the camera filming, but it was just hanging around my neck and pointing down so I could see where I was stepping, totally Blair Witch style. At one point, we came to a T intersection with no directions on which way to turn. I told Andy to the right. He said, “no I think towards the left” and took off. Of course, I'm yelling at him telling him it's the wrong way. He knows the way, since he wrote the directions. I reluctantly followed and we see another red ribbon. Ok, fine. I swallowed my pride and continued to follow. Then we turn off the paved jogging path and onto a dirt path. We're looking for another red ribbon.
By this point, we should see everyone and their flashlights. We don't. We see another ribbon tied to a tree and turn left, walking right into the woods. There's no one there. Everyone is supposed to be RIGHT THERE. Now, I freak out. "Where is everyone?!? What the heck is going on!?!" I start thinking more weird Blair Witch stuff like all my friends were killed or Andy is possessed. Andy sits down on a log and tells me to turn the light off. Even though I’m scared to death, I do it. Then, I hear him fumbling around with leaves on the floor of the forest. Now, I’m really freaking out. “WHAT’S GOING ON? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?”
::click::
The forest lights up. Christmas lights are strung in the trees.
Still confused, I think it's for my birthday. Nothing about our wedding or engagement was a surprise for me. We had picked out a ring together. I called the jewelry store the day before this happened and they said the ring wasn't ready yet. Plus, Andy and I decided to do the whole proposal thing the next weekend on my birthday. Boy, was I naive. "Where is everyone?" "No one's here."
He got down on one knee and proposed. I cried, because I couldn't believe I was fooled. I'm usually too smart for my own good and I always figure out his surprises. Not this time, though. Andy had pulled the whole tribe in on this and I was clueless.
He had the ring and a jar full of blueberries and raspberries. I told him I'd take berries over flowers any day, and then marry the man who brought them to me.
The lights burnt out after about 15 minutes (they were hooked to a car battery). We sat in the darkness for a bit but then got up to leave. Andy said we had to bring Monica back to her car and show her the ring. I was a little sad the rest of the tribe wasn't getting together. It was Saturday night and I wanted to hang out with everyone.
We got to Monica's and knock on the door. Monica answered and there were decorations and food everywhere. Once again, I asked, “What is going on?” "SURPRISE!!" Everyone jumps out! I couldn't believe it. Monica, Alex and Rob had made baked brie and it was wonderful. Kiran made a birthday cake that said "Happy Bree-Day!" There were more raspberries and blueberries than I could eat. AND they had a lot of shrimp. I cannot believe these people. They cracked open some champagne and we sat around for hours and talked. I got lots of presents for my birthday and Monica even made a Bree engagement/birthday flyer that was hanging up everywhere. I couldn't believe I was so tricked! I'm never tricked!
We were out until 5 in the morning celebrating. I have never felt so special before in my life. Everyone went out of their way for this surprise party. It made me so happy to see everyone there. My friends are so awesome. My now husband is awesome. Months later, I still can't believe it.
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