Loving Anne

In the fall of 2004, Anne and I had been dating steadily for two years. Anne’s friend Bonnie, then a sought-after wedding cake creator, asked Anne early in the week if she would want to deliver a wedding cake to Port Townsend on Saturday. Anne said sure and asked me if I wanted to come. After delivering the cake, we could spend the day in Port Townsend before returning home.

This was my chance, I thought. I had been wanting to propose to Anne and was trying to decide just how and where I would do it. I decided to make a tiny story book called “Anne’s Favorite Day” that would end in the suggestion of a proposal, after which I would pop the question. I began work on the book. I had a small plastic case lying around that I wanted the book to fit in, so I measured the space and began writing and designing the book, assembling lots of fun pictures that I thought Anne would like. With the book completed, I purchased a box of Crunch ‘n Munch, ate a little, and then tucked the book just under the surface. I stowed the box in the back of my car.

The trip up to Port Townsend was nice, and the wedding cake delivery went smoothly. Afterward, we walked around Port Townsend a little, and then drove over to nearby Fort Worden park to walk on the beach. Just after parking and starting to walk, I said, “I’ve got some Crunch ‘n Munch” in the back…I’ll go get it.” With the box now in hand, we started walking the beach. I reached in and took a little, making sure I could easily feel the hidden prize.

“Want some?” I said.

She took the box and dipped her hand in. “What’s this?”, she said, pulling it out.

“I guess it’s the prize inside”, I returned.

“Crunch ‘n Munch doesn’t have prizes.” she said knowingly, turning it over to see that it read “Anne’s Favorite Day, a Story by Brent”.

“Why don’t you read it?”, I said. She removed the diminutive book from it’s case and read the story. At the end of the story, she looked at me and I told her how wonderful she is and asked her if she would marry me. She immediately said yes. It was the best decision I ever made!

Here’s a video of me reading “Anne’s Favorite Day”