If Clapton is God, my engagement is Heaven

Jason and I met in the winter of 2001. I had become acquainted with several of his fraternity brothers and we soon got to know each other very well. My best friend began dating one of his closest friends and our circle became pretty tightly knit. Jason and I would talk for hours, arguing about everything from the best Led Zeppelin album to which hockey player is better (my vote: Gretzky, his vote: Lemieux!). We became good friends very quickly and I found myself starting to feel much more strongly for him than I anticipated. Sadly, I was involved with another one of his fraternity brothers at the time and it became complicated. When I broke up with Mr.X and Jason and I tried to get beyond the drama, but in the end it got the better of us. Our romance was short, sweet and had a very bitter break-up.

We would not speak to each other for over four years.

When my best friend announced her engagement, I could not have been happier for her. After, I had introduced the happy couple and knew that they were perfect for each other. However, it soon became apparent that, as Maid of Honor, I would have to confront Jason once again since he was a groomsman. While I was terrified at the prospect, I would quickly find that my fears were all for nothing. Jason and I got along as well as we always had, and the chemistry between us certainly wasn't gone.

We spent a wonderful weekend talking, bonding and realizing that we were still very attracted to each other. However, it would take a few more chance meetings before things got serious! We consider October 28, 2005 to be our anniversary, though there is much debate around the actual date ;)

Our relationship grew throughout the months, but it was upon my diagnosis of cancer that our relationship was really put under pressure. Instead of falling apart as many thought we would, we got significantly closer and opted to move in together soon after I went into remission.

While we openly talked about marriage, it would take several months before the actual proposal occured. We are both huge music fans and decided to go see Eric Clapton who was making an Edmonton pit stop on his 2007 tour. Our song has always been Wonderful Tonight, which started more as an inside joke than anything, and we thought it would be amazing to hear it live in the hockey stadium.

So, the big concert date finally arrives. I had been giddy all week since I am a HUGE fan of Clapton (whom I occasionally refer to as God). I noticed, however, that Jason was also very excited. i imagined this was merely anticipation for a great show. I was wrong.

We enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner (despite the fact that we were late and missed the opening act!) at "our" restaurant, and arrived to the concert well fed and ready for some amazing guitar styling. The show was sold out- an impressive sight since the arena holds room for 30 000! The music did not disappoint and we were on cloud number nine.

Finally, towards the end of the show, I heard the beginning of our song. The entire introduction had been altered but, having been a musician most of my life, I recognized the chord structure immdiately. I excitedly whispered to Jason: "This is IT, he's playing our song!!!". He reached out and took my hands and I immediately started getting teary eyed. I REALLY love my music.

Midway through the song, as Clapton told us that "the wonder of it is all is that you just dont realize how much I love you!", Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He softly whispered his proposal, asking me to make him the "happiest man alive". I am not sure if I even said yes through my tears of happiness. i was beyond excited!

I didn't get to SEE my ring until after the concert (since it was very dark) but was amazed at just how well he knows me. The ring was, without a doubt, perfect and absolutely me.

The next hour was spent calling family and friends to inform them of our wonderful decision. We then bounced off to a hotel room we had reserved and spent the rest of the evening sipping the champagne Jason had bought and dreaming of the future.

In short, the entire night was perfect.

I said it before, and I will say it again- If Eric Clapton is God, my engagement is Heaven!



Wonderful Tonight- Eric Clapton

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."