“We’re Married!”

It was July 1st 2021, Erica was standing in the kitchen getting ready for her day when the radio VJ said “I have tickets for caller number 9 to go & see British Guitarist Chris Standring. Erica thought “Who??? Hmm, never heard of em’.” Buuuttttt, Who doesn’t want free tickets?? And so Erica dialed. “Congratulations, you are my ninth caller! What’s your name?!” The VJ said excitedly. That eve it was about 5pm, then 5:15pm, then 5:30pm and Erica thought… “Geesh, I’m pretty beat! Perhaps I’ll pass and go next time. Nah, I’ll go!” Erica thought! Show began at 7:30p. Erica arrived at 8:15p ! Erica walked in looking for her dear friend/ brother & Suite Food Lounge (JazzBeats Promotions) promoter Doc Robinson. Erica couldn’t find Doc so she collapsed at Doc’s table where they always sit for every show. Erica looked up and saw thee Chris Standring. “Hmm, he’s handsome!” Erica thought. “Tall, lean… VERYYY RICHARD GERE-ISH!” Erica continued on & on in her head. The show ended in what felt like five mins from Erica’s arrival. ”Is it 9p already?” Erica thought. “Damn! OK!” Chillin’, Erica thought: “Hmm, I’ll stay and chat with Doc for a while.” But…Doc escapes Erica yet again!!Only this time he’s running back over to Chris. Suddenly Erica hears: “Hey, Chris! I got someone I want you to meet! She’s not that cute, but she’s all I’ve got!” Erica: Hmm…LOL Chris replies: “Awww, not tonight Doc, I’m beat!” Doc: “Just a few minutes…!” Chris: “Oh, Alright!” Doc races back over towards Erica & the table like a grade school student who can’t wait to show his class what he got for Christmas. Anxiously, Erica is thinking in her head “Doc, what are you doing??” Before Erica can even stop giving Doc the “I’m gonna kill you” look… Erica hears a refreshing British accent “Hello”. Immediately Erica looks over.. Pure Snow White Ivory Skin, Beautiful Smile, Great Dress Sense… Nervous, Erica replied: “Hello!” Chris immediately takes a seat. Erica and Chris begin striking up conversation immediately. From covid to politics what was there to not talk about. Their body language open, inviting, accepting! Later, Erica paused, thinking: “Hmm, this is too good to be true! He probably does this with all of the ladies on the road! Where is his ring? Certainly a mature man this gorgeous is NOT single!” The two exchanged numbers and said goodnight. The next day Erica could not stop thinking about Chris. “What if he wassssss (*already thinking past tense*) a good & upstanding gent? Hmmph, Nahhh! I better be careful!” Erica thought. Months passed & Chris would check in occasionally. Erica kept reminding herself: “Be careful, Be careful!” Until one day: Voicemail by Chris: “Erica, I am flying to London and I have a layover in Atlanta. I would love to take you to dinner.” Something in Chris’s tone moved Erica’s heart. Erica accepted the invitation. Dinner was amazing, romantic, and what Erica especially remembers was the ease. “Nothing felt forced or like we were trying too hard to impress one another.” Erica remembers vividly. Walking back to the car post dinner Chris gently twirls Erica around in the cold winter night, right into his arms. “Was like something out of a movie, omg.” Erica states. In Chris’s beautiful english accent he says: “May I just stand here and hug you?” Erica replied “Yes!” Post dinner Chris & Erica enjoyed a cocktail & said goodnight. Chris & Erica’s gravitating forces were sealed! “OMG, I LIKE HIM!!!!” Erica thought. On Dec 19, 2021 Christian & Erica became an item. And well “What about the rest of the story?” you might ask…

So Erica and I met exactly two years ago this July 1st. And I thought this would be a great day to propose as I could invite her over for dinner under the pretense of (or perhaps addition to) an anniversay celebration. I thought about many romantic proposal scenarios leading up to this and every one seemed not quite authentic or appropriate. And keeping anything under wraps from Erica is just about impossible. Either that or I'm a lousy secret keeper. So dinner at the casa it was to be. I could make a big deal of the whole night and she wouldn't suspect anything other than our celebration of two years together. I head off to party city and get balloons, I set up the backyard pool area with a ton of candles and flowers. I program the requisite romantic playlist (Includes Donny Hathaway, Teddy Pendergrass and The Delfonics if you must know). I bring out a high top table next to the pool with a tablecloth, candles and two roses..almost to look like a restaurant table. I've never been so nervous in my life. I didn't think I'd be able to get through dinner without Erica suspecting something weird going on. But strangely, right before she arrived I got a boost of confidence and convinced myself that I would pull this off. And enjoy the whole thing too. Erica shows up. On time? Hmmmm I suspect not. But hey, she looks like a million bucks so what the hey. I take her out to the pool area and she is aghast. I open a bottle of wine and I cook our favourite dish. Chilean sea bass, garlic mushrooms in french wine sauce, garlic rosemary potatoes and asparagus. Came out pretty damn good too. And we are having a lovely time drinking chardonnay and chatting away, almost as if it's just a regular day. As soon as Erica finishes her last morsel, I say “Oh, before I forget I got you something!” And I run off to my office to grab a little box. I come back, ask Erica to sit on a little coffee table, close her eyes and not to open them until I say. Then I get down on one knee and open the ring box. “OK, open your eyes now”, and she almost faints. (I think it was that). And I propose... The rest of the night was pretty surreal, and to be honest so was the following week. And there it was... -Chris