He shook his head.

It's just a picnic, I thought. We can eat in public...why the need for all this privacy? And I thought *I* was the introvert.

"Wait here," he said, hefting his duffel from his shoulder. "I'll find a better place."

While he trekked up the hill and disappeared into the woods, I looked at a map of the hiking trails. I still held the bouquet of flowers he'd given me earlier in the afternoon and insisted I bring to the park. A couple complimented me on the flowers before heading off on their hike.

About ten or fifteen minutes later, he reappeared. I followed him over a stream and up a hill. He stopped at a little clearing. The sun peeked through the trees and warmed a patch of sparse grass, leaves and twigs. We spread out a blanket to sit on and I made our very romantic sandwiches (haha).

After we finished eating, he pulled out his laptop from his "bag of surprises." I assumed he was going to read me some notes from his journal, but he played some music--old love song standards--and gave me another card he'd made.

When I finished reading the card, he handed me another one and pulled candles out of his bag. I still wasn't suspicious because this was "very Paul" (he's always doing these sweet things!) and because I didn't think he'd had time to talk with my parents or buy a ring.

He gave me a couple more notes that he'd made. The last one was blank inside. As I looked for the hidden message, he reached over the card and opened a ring box.

I was speechless. My mouth fell open and I dropped the card in my lap. As cliche' as it sounds, my heart actually lept. I couldn't really hear the words he was saying. All I could think was -- this is it! This is real! He's asking me!

"Will you marry me?" he asked (I think).

"Yes!" I said.

And voila! We're engaged!