Bob and his wife Sweet Maria were enjoying the view of the bay as they sat on their porch. A young man named Ryan came by and waved. They waved back. He approached them and explained that he was about to propose to the girl of his dreams, and he wondered if he could do it on their lovely porch. Bob laughed and said yes. 

The next day Ryan came back and Bob greeted him. Ryan said that it would be even better if he could serve her dinner first. On the porch. Bob said that would be fine.

The next day Ryan returned and released further developments. "Could I have my friends serve the dinner?" Bob was in. He asked how many people would be serving. "Twenty." With a belly laugh Bob agreed. 

The next day Ryan walked up and suggested that dancing after dinner would be superb. Could he set up some speakers to dance on the porch overlooking the bay? Bob concurred that dancing would be splendid.

The next day Ryan came by and Bob leaped from his chair to hear the newest strategy for the big night.

"Do you have a boat?" Ryan inquired. Bob was surprised. This man was so in love he was oblivious to social norms. 

"Why, yes I do Ryan."

"Could I ask her on the boat?"

On the appointed evening everything went like spun sugar... the dinner, the dancing, the moonlight across the water. When Ryan went down on one knee his lady gave a tearful yes. Then it was Bob's turn. He had contacted the Coast Guard and asked them to follow his lead. At that moment he gave the thumbs up and the men in uniform let off an explosion of fireworks and flares to light up the night sky.

I love that Bob had so much fun being part of the fabulous proposal. Even though he had never met Ryan before that week he was caught up in the honorable quest for his bride. People seem to be hard wired to care about marriage, and to want to celebrate it.

Maybe you are smiling too.

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