Odalys and I have been dating for an eternity. She’s the same girl since high school, always lively, humorous, SPICY, and most importantly fearless. You’d think after dating for over 12 years and going through the trials and tribulations of our relationship that something like this would be a piece of cake. Well, to put it short, it wasn’t. This special day was a culmination of it all; years of love, laughs, tears, and pure joy in each other’s company. It was my time to embody Odalys’ fearless attitude and plan the most amazing proposal. Lets just say, depending on who you talk to, this proposal was either controlled chaos, or to me, poetry in motion.

I had been planning the surprise trip for months, weaving a web of secrets and subtle hints that I hoped Odalys wouldn’t piece together. The destination: Rincon, Puerto Rico, the place where her roots ran deep and you can feel the love in the air with every sunset or whisper of the waves. What better setting to ask the love of my life for her hand in marriage and embark on this journey of life?!

When I told her we were taking a spontaneous trip to her favorite place, Odalys’s eyes lit up with excitement. Little did she know, she was in for more than just a visit to her family. I watched as she packed her bags, blissfully unaware of the engagement ring hidden in my carry-on. We arrived in Rincon and checked into a charming beachside Airbnb. Odalys was thrilled, thinking we were just in for a relaxing beachside getaway. The signs were all there, yet somehow I was getting away with it. 

In a moment of angst and nervousness, I decided to pick a secluded beach nearby with a breathtaking view. Unbeknownst to her, a photographer I had hired was discreetly following us, ready to capture the moment. I’ll be honest, I’ve never planned nor executed an elaborate sequence of events intertwined in a web of lies. It almost felt wrong living as a double agent with the one I love most, but I knew it was for the greater good.

As we reached the beach, the ocean spread out before us like a shimmering sapphire. I felt a sudden surge of nervousness. How was I supposed to distract her? Inspiration struck in the form of a slightly ridiculous idea.

“Hey, Odalys,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why don’t you look into the sun and make a heart shape with your hands? It’ll make for a cool photo.” (Photo is in the gallery. In hindsight, not that cool.)

She laughed, clearly thinking maybe I had a little too much sun today, but she humored me. As she raised her hands to form a heart and squinted into the bright sun, I quickly pulled out the ring to eclipse her view of the sun with the shadow of it. I was so ready for this moment, but when I started to talk, all I could do was mumble the words I had rehearsed. Something like:

“Odalys, you’re like the sun… I mean, you blind me… no, wait, you light up my life… um, so will you marry me?” Like I said…Poetry in motion.

She turned, momentarily blinded by the sun and stunned by the sight of the ring. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she gasped. Before she could say anything, she threw her arms around me, overwhelmed with emotion.

I held her tight, feeling her tears on my shoulder. “Is that a yes?” I asked, laughing softly, though my voice was choked with emotion too. She nodded vigorously, still unable to speak. But in that moment, it didn’t matter if she had said the words or not. Her reaction said it all.

As we stood there for what felt like an eternity, wrapped in each other’s arms, I couldn’t help but chuckle, realizing she took so long to respond not because she was unsure, but probably because she was too stunned by the sunlight and obviously the stunning ring I got her! I guess sometimes love really does leave you speechless—and a little blinded.

The tropical atmosphere made everything feel more romantic. The salty breeze, the gentle sound of waves, and the vibrant sunset painted the perfect backdrop for our engagement. We can’t wait for our wedding guests to experience the same tropical air and magic in what is known as la Isla del Encanto. It was the perfect blend of humor, surprise, and romance—just like us.