Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Twelve Years Ago a Man, a Pregnant Woman, and Some Friends Flew to a Tropical Island

"The only time I would ever tell a woman that I love her is when I plan to marry her"~ Mr. Farklepants circa 1994


On June 29th, 1996 a young Mr. Farklepants and his very pregnant girlfriend, Tootsie, had already been in Hawaii one week where they shared a rented estate paid for by very generous employers with their best friends two other couples. And on June 29th, just after brunch where Tootsie ate the entire buffet because she couldn't drink or smoke, enjoy the jacuzzi or do anything fun or reckless because of her delicate condition -and by the way gained twelve of her seventy pregnancy pounds on this trip alone and right now you're like, ONLY twelve?- ahem, after brunch young Mr. Farklepants declared to their friends that he would like to spend the day with just Tootsie taking a scenic drive around the big island of Hawaii.

So off they went in the little rental car that was straining heavily on the passenger side under Tootsie's considerable girth. Young Mr. Farklepants wasn't even kidding when he said drive AROUND the big island of Hawaii. Because they did exactly that. The entire perimeter. They stopped numerous times to get out and see the beauty to behold, but young Mr. Farklepants would quickly shove Tootsie back to the car and drive to the next place. When they finally made it to the deserted Kilauea visitors center, it started to rain. They parked and young Mr. Farklepants asked Tootsie to remain seated and dry while he determined if the view was worth getting wet for. He took the video camera that they had borrowed from their friends with him in the rain and all Tootsie could think was, "That is going to get all wet and then we'll have to buy them a new camera", because she is what we like to refer too as a worrywart. When young Mr. Farklepants returned he was very animated and excited and told Tootsie to go with him right now! And all Tootsie noticed was that he wasn't holding the borrowed video camera and was mentally chastising young Mr. Farklepants for leaving it unattended on a trail. See? Worrywart.

Young Mr. Farklepants guides his pregnant girlfriend to the rail that lines [what? Sorry. Was rail mentioned? Because there was no rail. Just certain death if you lost your balance] the rim of part of Kilauea. They both ooh and ahh. There is rain. There are NO OTHER tourists or anyone for that matter on the trail. They are completely alone. Tootsie turns to tell young Mr. Farklepants how she's concerned about the lack of a rail awe inspiring the view is and he impulsively takes her hands. "There is something I should have told you a long time ago" he says. Instantly Tootsie thinks oh my god he has children that he's never told me about and he's going to tell me right here. Worrywart.

But he didn't. Young Mr. Farklepants then dropped to one knee and said, "I love you" and then he proposed marriage to Tootsie who then cried like a big baby replied with an enthusiastic YES! As it turned out, young Mr. Farklepants had hidden the video camera so that he could record this event on tape (yes tape, 1996) but it didn't work. They finished their day driving the remainder of the perimeter of the island until they made it back to their rented estate. Tootsie had wanted to stop and call their friends to let them know they were going to be terribly late but young Mr. Farklepants insisted that it wasn't necessary. It turned out that everyone, their mother, and the kitchen sink were in on the days events. One of the friends had gone with him to buy the engagement and wedding rings. Rings which young Mr. Farklepants brought with him (in the body of a flashlight, no less) on their vacation.

At sunset on July 3rd, 1996, young Mr. Farklepants and his fiancee, Tootsie, eloped and were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Farklepants by a very old local reverend who spoke with a thick local accent and who Tootsie wanted to put in her pocket and take home with her.

It wasn't until yesterday while composing this entry years later, when Tootsie was a little older and [she thinks] a little wiser that she realized the symbolism of Mr. Farklepants proposing marriage to her at the edge of a cliff. A cliff that overlooked a volcanic crater that was at that very moment creating new pieces of the Earth. There they were at the edge, a proposal and a promise, to start a new life together. Although, it is possible that Mr. Farklepants may have already mentioned the symbolism in some way to her and she just forgot. Because she does that.

I love you Schmoopy! Here's to the days I want to wring your neck, the days I can't keep my hands off of you, and all those in between...Happy 12th Anniversary!

**Out of town until Sunday, Y'all!! Have a great fourth of July weekend and be safe**

61 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! I kinda just almost cried a little bit right there maybe.

barbra said...

Awww, so cute! Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Awwww...

Happy anniversary.

calicobebop said...

What a sweet story! You lucky gal, you! Have a great weekend yourself! Be safe!

Anonymous said...

Happy Day to both of you! It's been 22 years for us. The best in my life.

Fannie said...

Happy Anniversary!

scargosun said...

Yea! Happy Anniversary! What a great story!

Burgh Baby said...

You sappy thing, that was a great story! Happy Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Farklepants and here's to another 50 years of living on that cliff!

Have a great 4th of July!

Anonymous said...

What a great post. Thanks for sharing...and happy anniversary.

Anonymous said...

Oh My Gawd, that was like the cutest thing I ever read. Glurg, you guys are frickin' adorable. Cheers to you and your husband!

Karen said...

Happy Anniversary!
Our is 14 years today!
Apparently it is good to get married on the 4th of July weekend!
At least it makes for good vacations later, huh? We are off to the beach too.
I knew you were our kind of people!
Have fun! We'll catch up later, K?

smalltownme said...

Cute picture! Happy Anniversary!

Allison said...

Oh man that is the sweetest thing EVER! Happy Anniversary! I want to get married.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary ... finally a photo of Mr. F.

Anonymous said...

THAT was a GREAT story.
Happy Anniversary you crazy kids.

One Reader said...

*quickly hides tissue incase other commenters are lurking*

Happy 12th! May the next dozen be equally exciting!

Laski said...

How very, very cool!!! Congratulations . . . we share an anniversary year (mine is in NOV). Isn't hard to believe that 12 years have already gone by??? It was just yesterday . . .

Have a safe and fun trip!

Mrs. G. said...

Happy 12-have a great trip! And twelve more years of bliss.

Texasholly said...

I teared up. That was sweet, adorable, and sweet and adorable. I am head over heels for you two.

Have fun. Congrats.

Marmarbug said...

That was a fantastic story. Love it. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

Jason, as himself said...

Getting married IS the edge of a cliff, I tell ya.

Tootsie, forgive me, but I'm shocked that you were pregnant before you got married.

I wonder what baby Jesus had to say about THAT!

Anonymous said...

Hi, saucy's mom here - that was a super engagement story! very romantic! Happy anniversary and kudos to Mr. Farklepants for the cliff hanging proposal! the fan

kolls said...

Happy anniversary!! I hope you don't mind, but I reposted this on my blog (and linked to you, obvs!) to show my approval of this as the cutest engagement/elopement EVER. If you mind, I'll delete it!

{sue} said...

So very sweet! You are both adorable! And happy anniversary!! (And hurry back, because are ya kiddin' me?? No Tootsie until Sunday??)

AutoSysGene said...

Aww, have a happy anniversary! Thanks for reminding me to be thankful for my husband of almost 13 years!!

Stu said...

Congrats kids.

-Stu

Jennifer S said...

That's a great engagement story! *sniff*

Happy Anniversary!

Squeaker said...

That's a fantasy story :) Congratulations, you two!

I love your blog, and I read it every day -- can't wait until you get back!

oliver rain said...

Sweet story. Happy anniversary.

Anonymous said...

Congrats & Happy Anniversary!

katydidnot said...

i bet sometimes the wring the neck days are the same as the can't keep hands off days.

Eve Grey said...

That photo is the CUTEST! Happy A eh?

Swirl Girl said...

How loverly and romantical...

-and the farmer bought the cow even if he got the milk for free?
My dad would be shocked...

Happy Anniversary

OHmommy said...

Awwww.... you are the best story teller ever. What a GREAT story.

Happy Anniversary.

You are an inspiration to women with three chins every where. I too, will loose mine.

stephanie said...

It's so beautiful!

Except for the rain part, and the heavy with pregnancy part, and the video not working part...Okay, I'm just jealous.

(Stu told me he didn't want to date me anymore, which I took as a cop-out break-up in a very fancy restaurant; then when he brought out a ring, I flung off & lost one that I had been wearing. So my proposal is far less fantastic than yours...See, jealousy).

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Ours is Sunday, also 12 years. Not married in Hawaii but central Illinois. ;) Have a great anniversary!

JCK said...

This was a wonderful, mushy story! Romantic! Happy Anniversary, Miss Lovely!

Angie McCullagh said...

Aww, I went to that exact place when I was preggers with my first!

Happy Anniversary.

Anonymous said...

That's pure romance!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Beautiful and funny post. Very romantic!!! Congratulations on all the neck-wringing years!!!!!!!!!

dkuroiwa said...

He actually got down on one knee?!?! Now THAT is a great proposal story...12 years ago (!!) I got a "You wanna get married?" totally out of the blue, on a cold February Day while we were drinking hot coffee and eating steamed buns.
I like your story much better!!
Congratulations you two!!!

Anonymous said...

Tootsie Hussypants...I am shocked!

;)

Anonymous said...

Tootsie Hussypants...I am shocked.

;)

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

So, did you guys wait until you were married? Just kidding. tee hee

Happy Anniversary. Happy 4th of July.

I am STOKED we got to see a picture of Mr. Farklepants even if it from 12 years ago. I also hate that hat.

KEEP BELIEVING

Anonymous said...

Aw!! Happy Anniversary to the Farklepant's.

Wineplz said...

Happy Anniversary! That is one of the sweetest stories!

I was also the last to know that I was going to get proposed to. ;)

ALF said...

Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful story. My favorite part is that he put the rings in the body of a flashlight. Ingenious!

AGSoccerMom said...

Happy Anniversary! thanks for sharing....beautiful

Queen Goob said...

HOLY SHIT YOU MARRIED MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY!!! Look people, she married Matthew McConaughey. Do tell, is he a good kisser or does he just play one the screen?

Happy Anniversary and I hope you guys had a FABulous weekend!

p.s. what year did you burn that hat?

Nora said...

I love marriage stories. I love anniversaries. Enjoy your nice memories and making some new ones!

Anonymous said...

Aww - I love that. Happy anniversary and a wonderful weekend to you both!

Karen said...

Awww, happy anniversary Farklepants cuties!

Gen said...

Aw, sweet story! You two are a lovely couple. :-)

MamaMo said...

What a fantastic story! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

Your Pal Pinki said...

Happy Anniversary and hope you're having a fantastic weekend!!!

Kristi said...

Happy Anniversary! I would have been thinking the same thing about the video camera.

EatPlayLove said...

What a great story..and I have to admit Tootsie, it's nice to see you with a little meat on your bones!

Anonymous said...

Many happy returns of this day!!!

Anonymous said...

There's no way you're gonna read all of these congratulatory comments. So, I guess I could put something in here about how I finally figured out how to cure cancer, or invent the newest bomb, and no one would know.

But I, the Queen Worrywart, would fear that the next knock on my door would be the FBI, so all I"m going to say is: WOW! WHAT A LIFE!

Cynthia said...

Happy Anniversary!

lapoflux said...

What a love post - really like the part about putting the reverend in your pocket!