Mariko's Engagement Story, September 1, 2007
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Let me tell you a story.

A woman gets on a train at 5 pm traveling south at 100km/hour. A man gets in a car at 4:30pm and travels north at a rate of 100km/hour also. They start 560km apart. What time do they meet?

Just kidding. (Every time I hear the words “a man gets
on a train at midnight” I get a flashback to grade 10
math and die a little inside). PS - The answer is 10pm,
which is when Isaac met me in Seattle.

For those of you who don’t know, Isaac and I both live in Vancouver. Except Isaac lives in
Vancouver, Washington, and I live in Vancouver, BC. And we’ve been dating for almost two years now. Sometimes we meet in Seattle and then Isaac drives us back to Vancouver WA. This is what
happened Friday night, August 31st. But Friday wasn’t all that exciting (except of course seeing Isaac
is always exciting).

Late Friday night I was informed by my beloved that we were leaving the house at 8:30 am the next
morning. I think Isaac’s “beloved” status in my mind dropped for a second to a lukewarm “feel
fondly for” at that moment, (me not being a lover of early mornings) but I forgave him quickly
because he said he had a whole day of surprise activities planned!

So, first thing Saturday morning, September 1, we went out for breakfast, kicking off what I found
out was to be a day-long ‘travel-themed’ mystery date. Once sated on French crepes, we drove up
to the Columbia River Gorge where there is a spectacular viewpoint (see picture!).

We wandered around a bit and Isaac
subtly maneuvered us to a quiet corner where he had
something else for me – A USA/Canada Lonely Planet
Guidebook! But that wasn’t it… there was a letter
inside. A rather serious, wonderful, romantic, perfect letter,
which ended with the words “will you?”

When the words “will you marry me?” came out of Isaac’s
mouth after I looked up from reading the letter I had to try
really hard not to drop the precious letter off the precipice
we were standing next to because I had started to shake

violently with excitement. (Ok, I didn’t really shake violently, but it just sounds better when I say that
rather than, shaking slightly with suppressed emotion). A GORGEOUS ring appeared out of nowhere
and I fell off the cliff. (Ok, kidding again. But it’s an apt metaphor… hehe).

I said yes. (in case you were wondering). In love and grinning we took some more pictures. And we
still had the whole day ahead of us! Next was “Europe” ie: a wine tasting at a vineyard in the area.
Then lunch and a gander around Japan ie: the amazing Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. And
we ended the day with a long dinner 30 stories up looking out over Portland while the sun set.

Want to have a perfect day??? See above for details, (and talk to God about the weather).

At the moment, the plan is for me to move to Portland once we get married. So I’ll be immigrating to
the ol’US of A probably next year. It’s going to be a rather lengthy, gongshowish process, but we’re
hopeful (and trying to be super-organized). But we’ll keep you all updated on the plans as they develop.