popping the question Creative ways to propose marriage BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO Although there are various opinions on the origin of Valentine’s Day, it has become one of the most popular days of the year to propose marriage. Already focused on romance and love, Valentine’s Day is a most appropriate time to promise to spend your life with another. Some experts believe the holiday originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball. In the United States, Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800s. Panning to pop the big question on February 14? Take inspiration from other couples’ stories. After meeting through mutual friends, Lydia Shamoo and Derick Kassab dated for nearly two years. Lydia and some of her gal pals traveled to Chicago for Labor Day. That Sunday night, the girls gussied up for a typical night on the town, but everyone wanted to go to the Navy Pier instead. “When we got there, I spotted a group of guys who looked very familiar. Sure enough, it was Derick, my friend Michelle’s fiancé Brian, and my other friend Sandy’s husband Jeff,” Lydia said. “I was shocked to see them there.” The couples played some games, rode a few rides and then decided to go on the Ferris wheel. Each couple was supposed to ride in their own cart; Derick and Lydia got in the first one. The other two couples jumped in the next one, saying they only had two tickets so had to ride that way. Anxious to capture the moment, Lydia began snapping photos of the view. At the top, the ride ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK came to a sudden stop, and she turned to find Derick on bended knee with a ring in his hand. “Lyd,” he said, “I could never imagine a day going by without you in it. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you … will you marry me?” “At that very moment, I couldn’t be happier,” Lydia said. “He was everything I was looking for in a husband. And thanks to my friends recording it in the cart behind us, I will always be able to look back at that day and remember exactly how happy I was.” The two will marry this summer at St. Thomas Church with a reception to follow at Shenandoah Country Club. Lisa Kashat , then 18, had no clue that she would meet her husband at what seemed to be a chance encounter at a pizza place in Royal Oak. She was visiting a friend, Randy Dickow, at his store when the two decided to grab lunch. He sent Lisa to the pizza place nearby, which turned out to be mobbed. Owner Ronnie Yaldoo, who was trying to handle the crowds, asked if Lisa was Randy’s friend and when she said yes, he put her to work. “Will you come back here and help me?” he asked her. “My worker called in sick today.” Lisa, nearly speechless, was able to muster up the word, “sure,” and Ronnie directed her to register. After the crowd dispersed, Lisa made herself a sandwich. Later that day, Ronnie asked Randy to set the two of them up, and the couple ended up dating for nearly two years. Attending Piston games became part of their routine. When they headed to the Palace of Auburn Hills on December 21, 2004, it seemed like a typical date. “When we got there I was in shock because all of our friends were there,” Lisa said. “Everywhere I turned I would see one of his friends or one of mine. Even my sister was there.” During the third quarter, it was announced that the team was giving away an autographed basketball. Lisa noticed Hooper, the Pistons mascot, coming her way, “but, I thought no way, why would he come to me out of thousands of people? But he kept coming closer until he stood in front of me, so finally I got up. Hooper handed me the ball, which read ‘Lisa, will you marry me?’ I was so surprised that for one second I thought Hooper was asking me to marry him, then he turned the ball and it said ‘Love, Ronnie.’ It was the most amazing moment of my life. This was something I had never even imagined would happen.” The two married on April 16, 2005. “It was,” said Lisa, “a true fairytale.” 32 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2007</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2007</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 33