"How I Proposed to Elisha Jo" ~ By Josh Northup

(Published on March 28, 2011)

I've been creating the scenario in my mind for several months.  It all started with an idea to create a digital photo scrapbook for Elisha Jo as a gift that would leave a message at the end of the scrapbook to express my love, admiration and devotion to her.  Through a friend of mine, I purchased the Creative Memories Storybook Creator software program.  (www.creativememories.com)

After I downloaded the program, I toyed around with it for a while to get a good idea of how I wanted to design the book.  Using photos I had saved from the accumulation of our first meeting to our recent social outings (spanned over 21 months), I put together the photos on the book in chronological order.  After the photos were added, I had to write some short comments, add background designs and do some cleaning up.  After two months, I finally sent the large file to the publisher and had it delivered to secret address two weeks before I proposed to Elisha.

Now as to how I acquired the engagement ring, I've been doing some research online and at local jewelry stores.  I recalled the type and style of ring that Elisha desired and made a note of that.  I also secretly worked with her sister, Morgan, to get more specific details as to what kind of ring Elisha really liked.  Morgan did a great job of asking her questions without raising any red flags. (Thank you Morgan.)  So, a month before proposing, I finally found the ring that would be perfect for her.  I purchased it and with it, I got a pair of free aquamarine (her birthstone for March) earrings with it.

Since Elisha is has been really annoyingly expectant about getting proposed on "special days" such as Valentine's, Sweetest Day, or on our dating anniversary, I decided I had to be really sneaky.  To throw her for a loop, for several weeks, I constantly told her we do NOT need to be married to be happy together.   This way, I can keep her doubting that I'd propose anytime soon.  Now with the engagement ring, earrings and digital scrapbook ready to go, I hid them in a secret place until we arrived in Toledo, Ohio.   The morning of the proposal, I told Elisha I was going to run some errands.   I went to drop off the ring, earring and digital scrapbook in a gift bag  at one of my best friend's, Chris Tiefel, workplace.  The plan was for Chris to bring the gift bag to Elephant Bar after dinner. (www.elephantbar.com).  The reasoning for Chris to bring the gift bag after dinner was so Elisha would not be so anxious to see what I had gotten her for her birthday.   Before we arrived at the restaurant, Chris, being the great friend that he is, went the extra mile to phone the manager of the Elephant Bar and to inform him of my plan.  So the manager reserved a table in a private area for us and said that champagne would be on the house after I propose. (Sweet!)

So we arrived at the restaurant, and Elisha did not suspect that Chris was hiding in the bar area, waiting for me to give the signal for him to bring the gift bag.  After we have had our dinner and then dessert, I stood up from my seat to signal Chris to come over to the table.  After Chris came to the table, I explained that I 'forgot' the gift bag at Chris' house and he did me a favor to bring it over.  However, I told Elisha I will show her the gifts as long as I get to hold the gift bag, so that I can present the gifts in the order it was intended.

First I gave her a white jewelry case.  She opened it and inside it, were two earrings in aquamarine birthstones.  Then I gave her the next gift;  the digital scrapbook.  She was amazed by all the meticulous work I put into it but she was trying to flip through the pages so that she can finish it quickly because she wanted to see what the next gift would be.  I cautioned her that she has to read the scrapbook slowly and carefully.   The scrapbook is 79 pages long so , this took her about 15 minutes to get to the end of the scrapbook, where there is a love letter written.

While she read the love letter, she was weeping and laughing at the same time.  She didn't know what I was trying to do or what to expect, really!  So, with the scrapbook out of the way, I took the third and final gift out of the gift bag, a black and white box with a ribbon bow on top of it.  She opened the box and saw the engagement ring.  She was in shock for a second, then she wept uncontrollably.  Meanwhile, I took the box with the engagement ring from her hand, got down on my knees and asked her to marry me.  Since her eyes were welled up with happy tears, she did not get my message the first time, so I waited a second and asked her again.  Then she said.. YES!

(See Love letter and scrapbook here:  http://joshualeeelishajo.blogspot.com/ )  YOU MUST REGISTER WITH CREATIVE MEMORIES IN ORDER TO VIEW THE SCRAPBOOK.  IT IS FREE! You do not need to order the book.  Just click "Preview" above the "JoshElisha" scrapbook.)


The proposal was videotaped by our friend, Chris Tiefel.  You can view it on Youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSq3tquonY0
(NOTE TO HEARING INDIVIDUALS:   Since Elisha and I communicate in Sign Language, you will not hear any words, just pay attention to the gestures and signs.)

Thank you all for sharing our story.  Hope you found it romantic and amazing.  Let me know if you have any problems viewing the links, videos and scrapbook.