I love the way it just all fell together.  And there’s nothing better than getting to see a bit of romance in action.

We were on a girlfriend getaway in Fort Myers beach.  After getting lunch out and spending the afternoon shopping, we decided to stop at a local beach bar called The Cottage to watch the sunset.  With drinks in our hands, we made our way down to the bar’s beachside picnic tables.  Only there were no available tables.  It was here, that we met Eddie.

Eddie, traveling solo, and in town for just one night, noticed our plight and offered to share his table with us.  And so the banter began.  We girls can talk!  So with our new friend Eddie we talked about life and marriage and relationships and skydiving and bucket lists. We talked about how cold it is in Michigan (where he is from) and how it was currently snowing in Indiana (where we are from).  Two young couples at a neighboring table, both from Chicago, quickly joined in our glee at being on the beach instead of in the snow.

A hour or so later, just as the sun began to set, one of our new Chicago friends came over to let us in on a secret: his buddy was about to propose.   A proposal!  On the beach!  At sunset!  All of us married girls were beside ourselves.  And so, as the two couples headed down the beach under the ruse of  “taking a group picture with the sunset”, the rest of us turned around to witness the moment.  We couldn’t wait for this nice young man to pop the question.

Somehow Eddie from Michigan had missed the memo, but he too wanted pictures of the glorious sunset.  So down he went toward the two couples and started snapping away.  Minutes later Mr. Chicago got to work: down on his knee, he said the 4 magic words his girlfriend had waited four years to hear.  His buddy was ready and waiting with his camera to capture the magic moment.  Only he just couldn’t get the shot….Something about the angle, the glare, the shutter speed setting, who knows.  Tragic!

But bachelor Eddie, caught up in the moment happening before him, snapped his own photo of the proposal, and guess what?  He got the shot!   And with a simple text message, he was able to share it with the new bride-to-be.  She was moved to tears by the gesture.

My friends and I all ran to our new Chicago friends, offering hugs and well wishes to the new couple.  All in all it was a festive afternoon (with people I barely know!) and I was so glad to be a part of this couple’s memorable moment.

It’s possible that I’m a sap (probable even).  But frankly I just love to celebrate happy, anyone’s happy.  And as I look back at the chain of events, I love how everything seemed to just fall in place.

We stop for a drink, meet Eddie, meet the Chicagoans, and bond over being away from the cold.  Then even though he isn’t in on the secret, Eddie just happens to be at the right place at the right time and to take the photo that mattered.  I have no doubt it is the photo that will grace the fireplace mantle of this young couple for years to come.  And just so you know, I saw the tears in Eddie’s eyes when it all took place.  So I  guess I’m not the only sap around.