Landon and Seara are Engaged!!!

Here's the story in Seara's words:
Landon kept telling me that when he proposed, it would take me by surprise. Fair warning: now I know what to look for.
A few weeks ago, Landon said there was an art show in Syracuse, would I like to go? Of course I would, that was what we did on our first date; I love cultural activities. The show was Saturday, May 28. That morning, the Spirit whispered that I desperately needed to take off my tacky fingernail polish. So I did. Landon and I went to a hilarious movie. We were starving when it finished so we went to Famous Dave's and ordered their "feast for two"…they're not kidding, either. Fabulous food, hilarious movie, wonderful boyfriend, perfect day, right?
We went back to his house to wait for the art show to start. His mom (Sheila) and I were talking and in the middle of the conversation, she says, "Oh! I have to go meet some friends. Bye!" and runs away. Oh well…guess she was late. A few minutes later, Landon said it was time to go. Question: where in Syracuse are you going to hold an art show? He drove up to the Syracuse Museum. That made perfect sense. No cars were there, but we were on time.
We walked in and this cute little lady (Colleen) greeted us. She knew Landon…they must have been in the same ward or something, right? She showed us some lovely paintings my local artists and detailed some of the museum's artifacts. At this point, Landon removed my fake engagement ring, which is not uncommon as I often wear one and he often removes it. We, well I, got to try on a hoop skirt and some old-fashioned hats. It was such a blast. Perfect day, right? Colleen only showed us half the museum. So the other half must be boring or something. "Go ahead and look around. Ask me if you have any questions."
"Ok…thanks."
Landon: "I want to show you my favorite painting." An oil painting of white flowers by Nanette Child.
Me: "Ooh. This one's my favorite."
Landon: "Now I want to show you my second favorite picture."
Me: "Ok."
Landon: "Close your eyes." That's not so uncommon either. "Promise you won't peek?"
Me: "Promise."

He spun me around and walked me all over. I was a little dizzy, so when I opened my eyes I focused solely on the picture directly in front of me. It was a huge picture of a ring. Question: 1) why is this Landon's favorite picture? 2) what woman in the history of Syracuse was so important that her wedding ring needed to be displayed in the museum??? Wait a second…that ring looks an awful lot like the ring I really liked. Now my dizzy eyes look to the next item on the table: a bouquet of red roses. Oh! Pieces are starting to fit together. But the shock of the next picture! My face! What? Landon's face! A picture of us together!! Suddenly I can't breathe…at all. Landon took my arm and pulled me around and knelt down holding my ring. "Seara Patterson, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" I still couldn't breathe, so I crouched down and hugged him and gave him a kiss. I had just enough air to finally say yes and then I started giggling and laughing. He stood up and put the ring on my finger. I could see little Colleen behind the shelves with Sheila's camera.

There wasn't really an art show. Colleen gathered from local artists just for this occasion. Sheila "meeting friends" was her dropping off the roses and camera. Landon promised me our engagement would surprise me, that I wouldn't see it coming. After showing him the fake ring on my hand all day, he totally blew me out of the water. It was perfect!

Landon and Seara at the museum just after he popped the question.

Colleen caught the moment with the camera!

Landon's display at the museum all ready for the proposal!
May 28, 2011