Proposal Stories

The journey to the ring…
I started on the internet then on to the stores. All the sales reps asked, “Do you know what she likes?” I was like, yeah, my Boo isn’t materialistic so I believe she will like whatever I choose”. I kept getting this look from them, like … ‘yeah, whatever’. One sales rep scared me; she told me that she had seen a lot of women bring their ring back to the store to get a totally different ring because they didn’t like the one their fiancé had selected for them. I’m like ‘No! That’s cold’. But I prayed and made a decision after looking for about two months.

Our Pastor’s blessing…
I wanted to talk with our Pastor without out Katie’s knowledge. This was a challenge because she is his Executive Assistant and manages his schedule. So I had to go to an outside source. On Sunday, June 14, 2009 I sought the assistance of a young man on staff that’s a close friend of Katie’s. I told him that I needed to speak to Pastor J before he went to Atlanta and I didn’t want Katie to know. He immediately caught the holy ghost and ran down the hallway. After he calmed down he said he would arrange the meeting on my behalf. Pastor and I spoke and he left me with these words of wisdom … in whatever we do Pray, Plan and be Prepared.

Mr. and Mrs. Addison’s blessing…
Katie’s father is a truck driver and I wanted to speak with her parents in person together while her dad was in town. I called Mrs. Addison and inquired when Mr. Addison would be back in town. At first, I believe Mrs. Addison was a bit nervous because she asked if everything was okay and I laughed and assured her that everything was fine. I told her it was good news, nothing bad. Of course I discovered where Katie gets her inquisitiveness from … lol. Momma Addison immediately started asking more and more questions. I assured her again that it was nothing bad and I preferred to talk to her and Mr. Addison together in person. She finally gave in and said okay.

The road to a unique proposal…
The plan was to ask Katie to marry me when she arrived back to Houston from Atlanta on Saturday, June 27, 2009 the moment she stepped off the airplane. It seemed like the longest week ever! I had let a few people in on the plan and of course they all gave their input, ideas and suggestions … lol! No I didn’t ask, but I did use a piece of what everyone suggested to make it an awesome proposal.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2009 after bible study I went to meet with Katie’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Addison, at their home. Oh yeah, Katie’s brother was there unknowingly as I talked with her parents; imparting his wisdom regarding marriage. Anyway, after talking with Katie’s family they made me realize the seriousness of airport security and that I would need a ticket to enter the airport terminal … So I’m thinking I might have to propose at the baggage claim area. That was not part of the plan!

I didn’t get discouraged because I was reminded of Philippians 4:13 … that I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me.

After I awoke on Thursday morning I started my mission. I went to Massage Envy and purchased a gift card and schedule an appointment for Katie on Saturday afternoon. Friday morning I awoke on another mission to Houston Intercontinental Airport to speak with someone in person. Who was I going to speak with? I didn’t have a clue but I was determined to make it happen! When I arrived to the airport I spoke with a supervisor at the ticket counter. He confirmed what my future in-laws told me on Wednesday night, that no one was allowed into the airport terminal without a plane ticket. I looked the gentleman in his eye and told him my plan. He told me that he was working the following day, when Katie returned from Atlanta, and to come back and ask for him, in the mean while he would talk to his manager and see what they could do.

Still unsure if I would be able to obtain security clearance to enter the airport terminal I continued on with my plans. Friday night after work I picked up some roses and took them to Houston’s restaurant on Kirby. I was not properly dressed and the front stand attendants looked at me crazy when I walked in. I told them my plan and asked if I could leave the floral arrangement there and when we returned the next day for lunch if the wait staff would bring it out to Katie with the check. Once again, they give me a look but after they internalized and processed my request they eventually agreed to assist me.

After I got home, I called Katie but she was very tired and ready to come home so we didn’t talk very long. I was thinking, my poor baby, but I was like YES! By Katie being tired and exhausted the last thing she would expect would be what was about to happen. I prayed and went to sleep for all of one hour … lol! I was so excited I could not sleep.

Saturday, June 27, 2009 came and I was ready!!!! I arrived to Houston Intercontinental Airport with my good shirt on, roses in one hand and the ring in the other. I found the supervisor I had spoken with the previous day – - he said, “let me see what you got”. I showed him the ring … he smiled and said, ‘come with me’. YES! God is an awesome God, a mighty God! He took my identification, went to the computer and issued me a security clearance card. As I passed through the metal detectors there was a passenger that went through before me and as we stood there putting our shoes back on he said, ‘man you must know someone important to get back here without a plane ticket’. My first thought was, “how do u know I don’t have a ticket?” but I must give credit where credit is due, it was nobody but Jesus! After journeying to the gate where Katie’s plane was schedule to arrive, which happened to be on the other end of the airport, which was very, very long walk but I made it right on time – - her plane arrived about 10 minutes early.

And, to my surprise…my cousin that works at the airport was sitting by the terminal. He said his flight had been delayed. At this point, I became overwhelmed with joy because he also had his digital camera with him. God was working this plan out for REAL!

Finally, Katie’s plane arrives and the other passengers begin to exit the plane and enter into the terminal. I’m standing there, roses in one hand, the ring in the other and a photographer! Katie eventually walked out; she smiled when she saw me. I grabbed her hand in case she ran … lol! I looked her in her eyes and recited the proposal I had memorized, went down on one knee and asked her, “Will you do me the honor of being the future Mrs. Katie Michelle Howell?” She said yes, hugged me and shed a few tears. My cousin snapped a few shots, the crowd of people clapped and we were off. It was like a scene in the movies ……..PRICELESS!!!

Katie’s version:
I had just spent a very long week working in Atlanta. Kevin and I spoke briefly on the phone Friday night. He could sense something was wrong because I was being very short with him. I told him I was tired and ready to come home. He was picking me up from the airport and he was asking me about my arrival information, I was too tired to look it up and was trying to get off the phone with him so I told him I would text it to him later. He still wouldn’t hang up! He kept talking and told me what NOT to wear on my flight back home because he wanted to go to lunch. Again, I told him I was tired and all I wanted to do was come home and lay down in my own bed. He insisted that we would go to lunch when I arrived back in town and again he emphasized what NOT to wear. I agreed so I could just get off the phone.

I was up ALL night working and preparing to come back to Houston…didn’t get any sleep. I was thinking when he sees me he will feel sorry for me and just take me home and we can go and have dinner later. WRONG!!!! I slept from the time I got on the airplane in Atlanta until we landed in Houston. I was exhausted and was among the last of the people to get off the airplane. When I walked into the terminal through the gate Kevin was standing a few feet away holding some roses and smiling. I walked to where he was he gave me the roses, took my hands, looked me directly in my eyes and just started talking. I had my laptop bag on my shoulder and it was very heavy. So, initially I wasn’t able to process what he was saying because I was thinking when is he going to take this heavy laptop bag from me! I had no clue of what was happening … lol!

His proposal went something like this:
Katie, you know I loved you from the start. I now know that our first dance wasn’t just a dance at all; it was all in God’s plan. If you remember, I prayed at the beginning of our relationship that our love only grow for one another and show how good God can be and only what God can do. Baby, I believe he heard our prayer.

Katie Michelle Addison, I will keep God first in all that we do and continue to be me…love you unconditionally and grow old with you. (he kneeled down on one knee) Will you do me the honor of being the future Mrs. Katie Michelle Howell?

I was totally surprised!!! I cried a little bit, we hugged for a minute or two and I said ‘yes’. The people nearby in the terminal couldn’t hear my response and someone yelled out, ‘what did she say?’ and I said YES again so that they could hear and they clapped and congratulated us … it was definitely a priceless & memorable moment – - one I’ll never forget!