A heartfelt story about modern marriage proposals—balancing grand gestures, personal boundaries, and the importance of giving someone space to answer honestly.
Pairing Down Options
Love is in the air. Raynard has been dating Crystal for two years. The connection has only grown stronger. As thoughts of family and timing begin to surface, she becomes impatient with his hesitancy to propose marriage.
The subject has come up in passing conversations without his recoiling. In this liberated society, the request is not always incumbent upon the man.
Crystal begins researching how to form a flash mob. She picks out a song and begins rehearsing dance steps. A crowd of at least fifty participants, gradually joining in with choreographed moves, would be a grand gesture.
It seems like too much to coordinate. A simpler alternative is to record a social media video, but it would delay a response. A livestream might be better.
Additional internet suggestions include a hidden videographer and drone footage. The scope of possibilities is overwhelming, so Crystal seeks fatherly advice.
A Voice of Reason
She finds him in his favorite recliner.
“Daddy, how did you propose to Mom?”
A warm smile greets her as he motions her to sit beside him on the sofa.
“Some cultures favor arranged marriages.”
“Daddy… don’t—”
“Relax. I won’t. Your mother and I had dinner at a fancy restaurant. Twenty dollars for a meal back then was a big expense. I intentionally left one shoe untied.”
“Dad, did you understand my question?”
“Be patient. When pointing it out, I knelt to tie it. While on my knee, I proposed.”
“No offense, but that sounds a bit old-fashioned. Did you consider other options?”
He tightens his lips with raised eyebrows.
“Well, a cruise-ship proposal would’ve been nice, but that expense could be saved for the wedding.”
“Have you seen some of the modern options with video or crowds?”
“A proposal can be as simple as a sincere word in a greeting card. When you respect your partner’s privacy, their answer is more sincere—free from the pressure of performance.”
“By now, you realize I’m considering how to pop the question to Raynard.”
“Of course. I want the best for you. But the last thing you want to do is embarrass someone to give the response you desire.”
“I see what you mean. I want him to say yes. But if he feels coerced, we’re off to a rocky start. I’ll give it more thought.”
He stands with outstretched arms. They embrace.
“I approve of your choice, but you must be his choice, too.”
There’s a squeak from the mailbox. Crystal bends to gather envelopes from the floor. One is addressed to her. It’s from Raynard. Her heart flutters with anticipation.
Romance & Health Intertwine. Fall in love with a captivating romance miniseries that explores the essence of well-being. Become a ClinicalNovellas member for heartwarming tales.
“It’s probably tickets to a play… No—it’s a card telling me to visit a web page. Why didn’t he just text me the link?”
She slides her phone from her hip pocket and types in the URL. A page pops up with animated balloons floating behind the headline, “Will You Marry Me?”
Crystal hugs her father, kisses his cheek, and runs to her room to phone Raynard with her reply.
To support the writing of useful articles about emotions, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles, become a ClinicalNovellas Member, or remit a small donation.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about emotions. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.
Show your support by donating, shopping for ClinicalPins, becoming a ClinicalNovellas Member, or leaving an encouraging comment to keep the research going.
To support the writing of useful articles about emotions, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about emotions. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.
ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation or become a ClinicalNovellas Member.
You can support the writing of useful articles about emotions by sponsoring specific articles, becoming a ClinicalNovellas Member, or remitting a small donation.
The situational settings convey plausible outcomes which may not reflect the experiences of actual individuals.
FAQ: Navigating proposals with care
Why should some consider the effects of a public proposal?
Public proposals can amplify emotion and excitement, but they also introduce pressure. When an answer is expected in front of an audience—whether in person or online—it may limit the space for honest reflection. For some couples, privacy allows a response that is more thoughtful, authentic, and aligned with long-term intentions.
What can be done when the answer isn’t “yes”?
A pause or refusal doesn’t necessarily signal rejection of the relationship. It may reflect timing, uncertainty, or a need for further conversation. When proposals are handled with respect and openness, a “not yet” can become an opportunity to discuss expectations, goals, and readiness—rather than a point of embarrassment or conflict.
