Then we set out for a secret lunch destination. My phone led us to a bus stop in a neighborhood and then up a hill on foot, ending in a residential neighborhood with no businesses in sight. The view was pretty, though, as the fog started to lift and houses on the surrounding hills came into view. For a moment, it felt like Pittsburgh, my favorite city. The Friar Tuck Pub, which reportedly had the best steak in the city, was nowhere to be found. We wandered a bit, searching for a seemingly invisible pub in an unfamiliar neighborhood. When we finally found it, we were the only customers and we wondered if it would live up to the hype. Adam ordered a monstrous Flaming Challenge Burger. The challenge was to eat four burgers, fried chicken, pulled pork, and bacon on a bun plus onion rings and fries. The prize? Pride, a certificate, and his face on a wall. Adam finished within about 35 minutes, allowing him to cross something off of his bucket list. It was so fun, and he was so proud!
Learning from our previous experience, we asked for directions to the bus stop. We got lost again and ran around trying to find our way. Several locals and even a fellow visitor helped us make our way to the stop and we caught a bus to the city centre. I was anxious, knowing that the only matinee showing of the only movie we even considered seeing was starting soon. Adam had no idea where we were heading, but he hurried along, anticipating the surprise. We made it to the movie theater just in time. See, we both love movies and often went to the movies with friends in Botswana. The movie theaters in Botswana charged $5 for two tickets on Thursdays. While the tickets in the UK are quiiiiite a bit more expensive, we couldn't let sticker shock stop us from enjoying our favorite pastime together on Adam's birthday. The only movie showing that we would even consider watching was La La Land. I loved it. Sweet Adam endured.
After the movie, we met up with Adam's family for a fancy birthday dinner that his sister, Esther, had planned. Adam was strangely silent on the bus ride to the fancy buffet, and I was confused and concerned. I wondered what was wrong... if he was in pain from his eating challenge victory or if he was unhappy with his birthday adventures...
As we were being seated at dinner, everyone was very insistent that Adam and I sit on the end. I didn't think much of it and sat where they told me to sit. With everyone else seated, Adam remained standing. I thought he must be doing the Batswana birthday tradition of making a speech and thanking everyone for being there. But after he said a bunch of sweet things about me and I was sufficiently pink from all of the attention, he didn't move on to the next person. Instead, he dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife!! I was so completely surprised. I had hoped he would propose while I was visiting, but he made me believe he wasn't going to propose. I said, "Of course I'll marry you!" and jumped up to kiss him. Adam picked out the ring without my help, and it is gorgeous.
As everyone else ate their delicious dinners, we made phone calls and texted the people nearest and dearest to us to share the good news. I couldn't stop the happy tears and we both couldn't stop smiling. Strangers - other guests and wait staff - came by to congratulate us on our engagement. We, of course, had a bit of a photo shoot before we went home.
Adam did such an awesome job! Not only did he ask my dads for their blessing, he got a ring and dropped to one knee and had people there to take photos - all things that my American heart longed for in a proposal but were totally foreign to him as a Motswana. And we were surrounded by his family, something that is important to both of us.
All of our friends and family were happy and excited and wrapped us up in love. My favorite reaction, though, was that of my grandparents. My mom, Kathy, was with them at their home in Potosi, PA and received the video call. When we told them we had gotten engaged, Grandma's jaw dropped in surprise, and Grandpa said, "Well, I'll be!"
