Ashley : So I just finished a 4 hour orchestra rehearsal.
I was exhausted and a little stressed about the concert that was to happen at 5pm.
When I am nervous about a performance I am in complete tunnel vision and I am usually not into talking much.
My rehearsal is over at 230 and my hair appt is at 230 so Daniel picked us up dinner and was going to walk me to the salon.
We needed a minute to ourselves after a long family week.
He picks me up my favorite pre show meal.
Filet Mignon and a baked potato from McGuires in Pensacola.
We start walking down Palafox and I casually point out different places from my past.
The places where I took dance classes, restaurants I would frequent, just different places that held a memory.
We walked into the park and he asked if we could just take a breath. Which wasn't unusual considering I can get a little uptight.
So we took a breath and I felt some nervous energy.
He soon said "I'm so happy to be here."
I said "me too."
Knowing he had been to Pensacola before.
We took a breath and I had a sip of water.
He then said " I've waited my whole life for this."
Then I thought " to be in Pensacola?"
Obviously having no idea what was about to happen.
Then he reached in his secret, inside jacket pocket and I then went in for what was to become the most awkward hug of the century.
I hugged him and his arm was all caught in his jacket.
Then he got down on one knee and said "Ashley Brown will you marry me?"
I was in such shock.
I have never felt my knees go weak until that moment.
I ended up kneeling down with him.
I remember him saying " Well what's your answer?"
I then followed with "YYYYYEEESSSSS!"
Both of our hands were shaking like crazy and he slides on the ring and gets to the knuckle.
He says "Please let this fit."
I then took control slid it over my knuckle and its a perfect fit.
It was the most beautiful ring that I have ever seen and yet he could have put a rubber band around my finger and I would have still wanted to marry him.
So after a lot of tears and shaking.
He then puts his phone to my ear and says " You have to talk to Gavin and Emily (who are my costars from Mary Poppins and my best friends).
They had a lot to with today. "
So Gavin and answers and I tell him the whole story and I say "I wish you guys were here."
Then Gavin and Emily and Ben, a great friend from college who had been there all week with us, popped
up from behind newspapers and I fell to the ground throwing Daniel's phone.
They were sitting on a park bench pretending to read newspapers and saw the whole thing.
I was in such shock.
I couldn't believe they were able to surprise me.
I knew nothing.
Then both of our families were waiting in the hair salon to congratulate us.
It was amazing!
I had the best concert.
I was able to tell all 2000 people the beautiful story.
It was the most amazing day of my life.
I feel so lucky
to have someone who loves me.
Especially as beautiful of a person as Daniel.
There isn't a day that goes by that I am not thankful for him.