Contributed by:
Erin Feese/YourHub.com
Article Contributed on: 3/4/2009 5:11:48 PM
You know how there are places that just capture you? Well, San Francisco will always hold a special place in my heart after a recent weekend.
I had always thought it was a cool place, having been there a couple times as a kid and for a brief visit in college. When my boyfriend,
Gabe, surprised me with tickets for Valentine's Day to go to the city for a weekend, I was excited -- but more for the chance to travel and just get away than for the destination itself. Gabe is a big city person, he loves the nightlife and architecture that the city has to offer, so that's why I thought he wanted to go.
So as he took me around (he loooves to play tour guide, and can almost instantly memorize cities' public transportation systems and layouts), I discovered why he was so entranced with San Francisco -- the architecture, the rolling hills, the fog, the parks, and yes, the cable cars -- it just draws you in.
But of course, what clinched it and made the trip so memorable went beyond seeing the sights ...
We decided to rent a car for a day to see the outlying parts of the city that are harder to access by bus. We spent the day visiting beaches, Golden Gate Park and the Marin Headlands -- beautiful! At sunset, we parked at one of the scenic overlooks, and Gabe suggested we take the brief hike to the top of one of the Twin Peaks, which overlooks the whole city.
I had fun snapping photos of the view and experimenting with my tripod -- I just got a new camera and so was taking a lot of pictures, just because I could. As I turned to go back down, suddenly Gabe called my name. I spun around to find him on one knee and holding a ring.
My eyes went really wide and I was frozen to the spot. I know he said something beautiful and sweet like "Will you do me the honor of being my wife," but my heart was pounding so loud and everything felt like it was in slow motion. I could barely get out a whispered "Yes," and was smiling as he gave me a kiss. I was so flustered I couldn't remember what finger the ring goes on!
Some very kind stranger took our picture and e-mailed them to us, so those are three photos of the proposal you see here.
It was certainly the most perfect day I have ever had.
So yes, that is how San Francisco (and of course, my wonderful fiancé) captured my heart.
Ok, if you think you can take more sappiness, I'll leave you with the lyrics to
Tony Bennett's classic song:
I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO (Tony Bennett)
The loveliness of Paris
Seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome
Is of another day
I've been terribly alone
And forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the bay.
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me.
To be where little cable cars
Climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
Your golden sun will shine for me!