How were you proposed to?

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from your partner, beloved, husband or wife? Was it freaky? Romantic? Scary? Unusual? Traditional? Tell us your story... I belong to the SCA (www.SCA.org) - the Society of Creative Anachronisms. We are an international, educational group that reenacts medieval history in thought, word and deed. In the US, we are divided by Kingdoms. I live in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc which comprises most of New York State, Pennsylvania, eastern Maryland and West Virginia (my state of residence). I came to West Virginia on 2 missions, one was for the medical help I could receive from a specialist there and the other was to get away from a messy divorce because I became terminally ill. The last thing on my mind was remarrying. I resettled and began to attend therapies for Muscular Sclerosis (MS). The #2 specialist in the nation, according to JAMA magazine, practiced here (and I still go to her). Inbetween theapies and tests, I was lonely and tried to make friends by attending interest groups in the area, including the local "Barony" of the SCA. The barony was newly formed and was a little disorganized. When I introduced myself as moving from the Midrealm Kingdom west of them I was greeted with catcalls and hisses. Of course it was because our kingdoms have 'fought' against each other many times for additional lands. One Gentle cried out that I was a spy and should be guarded. The troup of guards were 2 Lords and a Squire in charge. I was escorted to the "dungeon" (another part of the house - the kitchen - away from the meeting) and not allowed in the rest of the meeting. The one young Lord left guarding me was Bearclaw of Gryphon's Keep. An attractive young man and gifted artist as I found out from us talking during my "exile". His wife Lady Kathleen came in and introduced herself, as she was hostess for the refreshments and we helped her. Tragedy struck me as I developed cancer and had to pack up my aparttment and sublet it while I recuperated after an operation at a relative's home outside the state. I didnt return until the next year, but my SCA friends were waiting for me with the latest gossip. Seems like Lord Bearclaw and Lady Kathleen had divorced and there was still problems between them. Well, coming from a broken marriage was not new to me and I sympathsized. Since I was still weak and recuperating from cancer, I wasnt at too many meetings for awhile and eventually drifted away from that scene. One evening in a local Mall I spotted Lord Bearclaw dressed in a kilt and strolling along with the crowds as if window shopping. I was sitting with a cup of tea near a kiosk and our eyes met. Zing! Love at second sight? Maybe. I felt I was having hot flashes! He came over and reintroduced himself and asked to sit down. From that moment on we were inseparable. He either visited me or called me everyday. I dont recall one day without any communication. A few years went by and we were recognized as a couple, but my health declined slowly. He began talking about making ourselves permanent, but memories of my last marriage when my illness was the factor of the divorce outweighed my wanting that type of committment. I had no strings on him and told him so, he was free to go to whomever he wanted. His stubborness in being true to only me impressed me, but still I remained cautious. One fine Spring day I had been very blue for now being dependent on a wheelchair for ambulation. I no longer could work in my profession (nursing) and I was wondering what to do. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and a messenger gave me a box filled with my favorite peach roses and a note with an invite to be at a very grand restaurant downtown that evening and to be "in garb" (medieval clothing). Laughing, I fulfilled the request and arrived at the appointed time. Inside the restaurant was the entire Barony, all decked out in their medieval best. The Baron and Baroness greeted me warmly and I was rolled into position at the dais with their Graces. A string quartet began to play and a jester entertained us all as waiters brought out the prearranged dinners. Bearclaw, I noted, was on the other end of the dais where the Lords were seated and we waved at each other. At the end of the meal, the Baron called for quiet and asked all to remained seated. Then he ordered Bearclaw to come forth. He came around to where I was sitting, got down on his knee, (the room was hushed) and before I could say anything, he proclaimed his love to me in front of the witnesses and asked for my hand, which he kissed. I was crying tears of joy and everyone started shouting What??? Yes or No??? I sniffed and nodded and a mighty cheer went up as Bearclaw put a silver necklace on me with his medallion on it. Amid cheers of Huzzah! We stood and bowed. Freaky? A little, but medievally correct and stunning. We sat together the rest of the evening as everyone came to congratulate us. The dessert was a giantic bowl of mixed-fruit vanilla pudding with numerous cherries topping it (another medieval engagement feature) and we took the first 2 spoons and fed each other, the rest was divided among the guests. Now THAT was a proposal I couldnt refuse!