I proposed sometime around 12:30am on November 8th, and a few hours later posted my status on Facebook…

“She said, YES!!!”

Ambiguous, yet obvious as to what the meaning was.  The proposal was a well thought out plan, VERY few people knew of it, and I didn’t think about the repercussions of such an impersonal posting.  Those who have not bought in to the world of social networks were the last to know.  In retrospect, maybe I should not have posted it before telling some close friends and family, but I also didn’t expect so many people to be checking their Facebook “mini-feed” @ 3am in the morning.

But I couldn’t wait. Telling one person, one phone call at a time would take too long. I needed the world to know. I needed to run to the top of the mountains and shout it from the top of my lungs, for all to hear.

Facebook was my mountain. My “status” was my voice. Welcome to the 21st century.

The Proposal

November 7th, 2009 was as perfect a day as any almighty deity could design.

It was the day after the wedding of our friends, Steve and Kim. Their wedding was in Sonoma, and I had convinced Malaya that we should make a weekend out of our trip up north. This was to secure that she had no other plans for the weekend, but Sonoma wasn’t where it was to happen.  I had made plans for Half Moon Bay.

We checked out of the Sheraton in Petaluma. I simply told Malaya that we were switching hotels. She bought it. Cool.

We started off our morning with breakfast at the quaint little Tea Room Café in downtown Petaluma, good food, great teas. By this point I had only told Malaya that we were changing hotels, not where our next hotel was going to be, nor what the rest of our plans were. I was trying to be careful to not ruin the surprise too early. Malaya made it real easy. She never asked.

It wasn’t until driving away from the Tea Room, that she asked about the day. “So, where to next?” she asked.

My minimalistic reply, “To fill up gas,” seemed to supress her curiousity.

Surprise still secure.

We filled up gas then made our way south 101 toward the Golden Gate. I told her that I had a spa day planned for her, but that none of the spas in the Sonoma area impressed me enough, so I had made reservations for a spa in half moon bay. She didn’t seem to mind that we weren’t wine tasting anymore, a day at the spa for Malaya is a mighty fine substitution.

It was a gorgeous drive down highway 1. November is the beginning of Mavericks season, so the waves were big and the crowds were building along the highway to watch all the surfers out on the breaks. It caused a bit of traffic, but the skies were clear and blue and the views were amazing, so I didn’t mind. It gave me an excuse to rubber neck a bit and enjoy the scenery.

We finally make it to the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. We pull up to the resort’s entrance booth, where they greet us with hospitable smiles. They take my reservation name, hand us a valet ticket for the car, and then tell us to continue to the lobby of the resort.

The lobby drive way has a fountain in the center that is decorated by giant Farmer John pumpkins half the size of my car. A valet greets me by name and points us towards the lobby where a hostess is waiting for us. She, too, knows my name.

“Hello, Mr. Liem, it’s a pleasure to have you with us, please follow me, I’ll escort you to reception.”

She walks us to reception where we pass the four other families in line, and the woman behind the desk, once again greets me by name. The receptionist pulled out an envelope marked with my name. “We have upgraded you to our cottage suite,” she tells us. What a great surprise! I had made special arrangements with the resort’s restaurant manager, Nicole, a few weeks prior to our visit. She knew that I was planning to propose to Malaya, and all she told me was that she’d make sure that our resort stay was “special.” Now I’m getting nervous with all the special treatment, and am starting to think that Malaya must know something is up.

After reception, we were led back to the lobby where we met our bellhop. He must have been the head bellhop. He wasn’t wearing the themed vintage golf attire that the majority of them were wearing, he was in a well cut black suit. He called a resort escort car to guide us to our 1.5 bath, 1 bedroom~900 sq foot suite with ocean view and fire pit on the patio. Yeah… it was pretty pimpin’. The master bath had a giant luxurious bath. Malaya loves baths. I knew that taking a bath in that tub was going to be on her mind the rest of the day, but we had plans, no time for a bath right now.

Still worried about Malaya catching on to the proposal that night, I start trying to think of ways to play down all the special treatment.  Just then, Malaya says to me, “Wow… we are really getting lucky this weekend, with all the upgrades!”

Could it be that she still doesn’t suspect anything? Let’s hope so.

Our room included some complimentary golf balls, a wedge and a putter. With a few hours before our massage appointment, we decided to take in some sun and golf on the putting green that was just outside the patio of our suite.

Back to the lobby for our complimentary wine tastings. The weather outside seemed to get better as the day went on. It would have been a shame not to enjoy our glasses of syrah amidst the blue skies and views of the 15+ foot waves. The breeze was light and had a slight Half Moon Bay chill to it, but the wood burning fire pit by our wooden recliners kept us warm. This day is a good day.

There is about an hour before our spa appointment, so we decide to check out the facilities prior to our massages.  I could really use some time in a hot tub.  The locker rooms were luxurious and fully stocked with snacks, fruit, teas, and coffee.  They had all you need including robes, sandals, toiletries, and a wood-trimmed waiting room that made me want to smoke an expensive cigar.  Standard fare for spas of this caliber, I suppose, but I’m bourgeois, I wouldn’t know.

They had co-ed hot tub rooms and showers, but a bathing suit is required and we hadn’t brought any.  I’m too sexy for it anyway ; ) I still wanted to partake in the sauna, and steam room, so we went our separate ways.  I quite enjoyed the steam room, but not the dry sauna, it makes me feel like I’m suffocating.  The hot tub was exactly what I needed.  There was also an ice tub, without actual ice in it, that was just cold as hell (oxymoron, but you get the idea).  That cold bath could have made Mandingo shy.

Malaya and I met in our room for our couples massage.  Soft music, plush yet firm massage tables, and scented oils are a few of the elements that put one in that heavenly comfort zone that somehow makes 1 hour pass like 10 minutes. . . satisfying and reenergizing.

A quick shower, redress, and back to our suite to prepare for dinner.  We enter the suite, lights are dimmed, fireplace is lit, and rose petals are laid out all over the bed.  Damnit.  They were premature, the rose petal turndown service was to be set up while were out to dinner.  The cover must totally be blown now, right?

Malaya’s reaction: “Wow, this is nice!  Ritz Carlton really does have great service!”  Could it be that she thought this was just common treatment for all Ritz Carlton guests?  Apparently so. phew.

We were picked up at 7pm, by the complimentary chauffeur service, and dropped off at the lobby where we made our entrance to the resort’s renown restaurant, Navio.  We were greeted by the restaurant manager, Nicole, who was responsible for all the incredible service we’ve been receiving all day.  She escorted us to the Chef’s table situated between the main kitchen and the dessert kitchen.  This was to be the pinnacle of the evening.  Malaya and I watch quite a bit of food network and eat out quite a bit, I thought she might get a kick out of a personalized 11-course meal with wine parings at the Chef’s table, who wouldn’t?

We ate well.  From fresh Maine lobster to Norwegian smoked salmon, fresh local sturgeon caviar to lightly fried sweet breads, we had it all, and that was just the tip of the iceburg.  Service could not have been better.  Each dish was presented by the chefs with a detailed description of the ingredients, where they came from and how it was prepared, in the tune of Iron Chef, and we were the judges.  Prior to each dish being presented to us, a new wine pairing was introduced by the sommelier. Champagnes to international and local California reserve wines, each enhanced the dish it was presented with.

The entire staff knew that I was going to propose that night.  Each time Malaya left to use the ladies’ room, a staff member would check in with me to see if everything was going well, if I was nervous, or if they could do anything else to enhance her experience.  They were doing just fine.  In addition to the everything they were doing for us in Navio, they had also dispatched staff to light candles all over the room, turn on the fire pit, and set a gourmet s’mores kit on the coffee table for our arrival back at the room.  The entire staff of Navio made us V.I.P., I’ll always remember them for their incredible service.

The affair was 4.5 hours.  11 courses, 3 of which were elegant desserts, followed by Navio’s own handmade truffles and Madelines.  On our way out of the lobby, Nicole was there to say goodnight with our chauffeur ready to take us back to our suite.  Nicole stuck her hand out to thank me, but I was slighty drunk and overly impressed by all of the help her and her staff have given me, I had to hug her.

Back at the suite, I escorted Malaya through the front door.  “Oh, how nice!” she exclaimed, “Did you do this for me?”

It was getting close to the moment of truth.  I had nothing more to hide, so I confessed, that the candles were for her.  She loved them.  I showed her the s’mores kit and the fire pit already lit up.  She often talks about s’mores being part of her fondest memories growing up, so I figured that it would be an easy lure with the clear starry night and the sound of the ocean in the distance.  Not so.  She wanted to take a bath in that gorgeous tub she’s been thinking about all day.

“Come out and have S’mores, Malaya,”  I beg of her.

“No, I’m too full,” she replies from the bedroom.

“Just one!”

“I’m really too full, can we do it after my bath?”

“I’d really like to have one with you right now…. please?”  It’s apparent to me that she REALLY doesn’t get it.  She still hasn’t realized what any of today was about.  She finally comes out to the patio, dressed in her Ritz Carlton robe, admitting defeat to my special request.

We sit by the fire for a little bit and admire the stars.  She points out Orion to me, the constellation that was special to us, basically because it was the only constellation we knew how to find when we first started dating.  I started to open the S’mores kit when I realize I probably don’t want to get our hands all sticky just before pulling out the ring.  So I stopped, and I realize, that this is the moment.

I turn to her and tell her that I have written something for her.  I pull out my iPhone which had my note for her saved on it.  I read it to her

I know what all those poets were writing about
all those symbols of beauty
the majesty of mountains
the endlessness of the oceans
the glory of sunsets
all futile attempts to use words to describe this love for you

i know what all those singers were singing about
all those lyrics of longing
a gentle touch
a sweet kiss
just words set to appropriate chords
all futile attempts to play that silent song my heart sings for you

I love you
I love you
I love you

I can say it a thousand more times
a thousand different ways
but, frustratingly, it falls flat in comparison to all this emotion that lies inside of me

but this doesn’t stop me
I’ll tell you a million more times
and a million different ways
and maybe… just maybe… someday, you’ll understand

this will take a lifetime to prove to you
a life that i dedicate to you, if you will allow me

I got down on one knee, and I presented the ring.

She smiled that beautiful smile, and the words came out of her mouth, “Are you sure?”

I nodded yes.  She put her arms around me.  We kissed.

She still hadn’t answered the question.  I asked her, “What’s your answer?”

“Yes.”

For more photos taken during our engagement, click here.