2 Dec 2016 The Proposal

Proposing is never as simple as it sounds. Here is an extract of most of what he and I were talking about to try and organize a few pictures. It is always nice for posterity sake, but this also was his idea so that he could share it with Kheayali's parents and for them-later on. What a nice thought.

(Comment: for those who do not know the background to how Thomas and Kheayali met, well, let's just say that Kheayali was our financial advisor long before she went on a date with Thomas.)

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The Organizing

12:49 Thomas / Minion fyi, FaceTime Kheayali's parents this morning and asked for their permission to ask Kheayali. They said yes :)
12:50 Pierre Oh Thomas that is so good
12:50 Pierre So happy for you
12:50 Pierre Did the dad say yes?
12:53 Thomas / Minion yes they both said yes :)
12:53 Pierre When?
13:07 Thomas / Minion DEC 2nd, her birthday
13:08 Thomas / Minion at Fort Henry Lumina Borealis show

2016.11.29 Tuesday
11:46 Thomas / Minion hey, should you go in disguise on Friday & take some pictures for us? lol
12:02 Pierre Where? Where you will be having supper? Lonestar?
12:05 Thomas / Minion No- at Fort Henry.. I feel like we should have a few pictures..! what are your thoughts?
12:06 Pierre So you're going to do it at Ft Henry?
12:06 Thomas / Minion maybe you & mom want to go? it's suppose to be lovely. We're going at the 9:15 one
12:06 Thomas / Minion yeah! figured I'd know the spot when I see it.. lol
12:07 Thomas / Minion I was thinking I'd just give my phone to someone and ask them
12:08 Thomas / Minion to video tape it.. but pictures might be nice.. ahh. any ideas?
12:12 Pierre I'll do it if you want.
12:13 Thomas / Minion well do you think its a good idea? get a few pictures of the moment for her parents and us
12:13 Thomas / Minion should you go undercover? lol
12:14 Pierre Of course...you're talking to me!!!! Pictures.....
12:14 Pierre Well, would be easier if we were just joining you
12:15 Thomas / Minion okay, we can just do it like that :)
12:15 Pierre OKay
12:15 Thomas / Minion I'll just walk her off to the side or a good spot when I see it
12:16 Thomas / Minion should we pretend like it wasn't planned?
12:16 Pierre I need to be close since it will be dark
12:16 Thomas / Minion okay, if we see you we just act like a big surprise:)
13:09 Pierre Ya, you'll just need to let me know around where you are going to be and we'll make it to that area...me taking pictures will be something she'll expect given the location -and not expect anything else ;)
14:01 Thomas / Minion sounds great! I'll probably text you maybe when I find the spot? and just say "now" or something.. and buy a few minutes before I go.. or when you see me take her aside or something? hmm
14:05 Pierre No problem Thomas... we'll make it work. You getting nervous?? ;)
14:08 Thomas / Minion hmm maybe a little.. not really but I had planned to basically sing to her.. might change that plan.. lol

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The Location

I only have a few pictures of their adventures at The Lonestar.

Their next stop was the Lumina Borealis event at Fort Henry. This is where we have staged the "meeting"...if Kheayali knew us better, she'd know we'd most likely never be out this late ;)

The Lumina Borealis is an exceptional, night-time experience in winter in the setting of Fort Henry. Inspired by winter childhood dreams and memories, Lumina Borealis will draw people into a participative, colourful and enchanting experience that is interactive and sure to make you love winter. Find your path through an enchanted land, across a frozen landscape, to reignite your winter spirit.

“WHAT IS THE BEAUTY OF THE COLD SEASON?”
THE WIND ASKED.

“ONLY A WARM HEART CAN KNOW IT”
THE SPIRIT RESPONDED.

A long time ago anyone could see the beauty of winter. But as the greater world became distracted with greater stories, only children kept a warm heart for the cold season. Left out in the frost, the spirit of winter found shelter in Fort Henry.

One night, as winter transformed into a wolf howling at the moon, the wind asked why it was crying. “My beauty is invisible to most humans” said winter. “What is your beauty?” the wind asked. “Only a warm heart can see it” the spirit responded.

That night the spirit of winter found a new purpose. It decided never to leave Kingston and to take all its beauty to Fort Henry. Transformed into a deer, it whispered a spell at the wind, concealing behind a magic veil all the secret wonders of the cold season. “Only those who keep a warm heart will be able to lift this veil!” said the spirit as he waited for guests to arrive.

Will you be able to break the spell and reveal the secrets of winter’s beauty?

Find your path into another world, across a frozen landscape: once you unlock the magic of Lumina Borealis, winter will never be the same…

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The Ring...

Engagement rings are ultimately circles of metal, and the circle is a part of very sacred, symbolic geometry. Circles have no beginning and no end and thus represent eternity, renewal, wholeness, and perfection. They are also symbolic of the sun, moon, and planets, bringing together all life just as this engagement ring brings together the lives of Thomas and Kheayali. This ring represents the love, honor, and commitment they will share for many years to come.

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The city of Kingston

Thomas with his mother and Kheayali

Getting ready to go into the event

What a lovely entrance. The place was pretty dark so some of the pictures (though I had the ISO cranked up) with come out a little dark.

Thomas and Kheayali at the icicles-Kheayali said they were Superman's crystals

The tree section (first time around)

All the walls had projections on them with stories or animals.

This section had fire-pits but was also interactive. As you moved, there were sensors and they projected a veiled image of you on the wall

This next section had a mixture of microphones and if everyone sang an animal would form on the wall. It took us a while to get that darn animal.

This next section had a BIG wall of interactive items

Here you would throw balls and the projection on the wall would indicate where it hit. For the projection of the musical items, a sound would emanate - for each projection, there would be a result.

We loved this or was it simply Thomas getting the courage up to ask her...but he still was unsure about the location.

Sharon joined in the chorus.

Heading back to the tree section. Thomas decided that this would be the best place to ask Kheayali. Needless to say, after seeing some of the dark pictures-I cheated and went to pop-up flash.

Thomas, gathering his courage and getting ready for the moment

He's going for it...she looks surprised. By the way, EXIF data tells me this happened at 10:43 PM

She's taking a step towards him...not backing away...

Looks like a "YES" from here

This is where I think she is asking Thomas if he asked her parents...(Which he did by-the-way)

Sharon told everyone she met what happened and the next thing we hear is that a PR person from this event wants to take their picture...way to go mom....

This is not the end...but the start

PS: the engagement was posted also by Lumina Borealis on their FaceBook Page

Some of the people who liked it on FaceBook

Amanda Leighton

Town of Gananoque

Robyn Elizabeth

Jaimie-Lyn Oldfield

Cynthia Surette

Heather Moreland

Stephanie Young

Rosalyn Gambhir

Natasha Reid-Buffett

Brandi Litchfield

Amanda Hegadorn Campbell

Veronica Legnini

Katherine Leblond

Lisa Pascoal-Reis

Ashley MacGillivray

Katrina Valente

Jennifer Morgan

Katie McAllister

Matthew Kirkwood

Andrea Porter Mishell

Magdalena Kozlowsk

Denise McLaughlin-Ryce

Holly Berndtsson Essex

Stephanie Benevides

Back to Thomas's home page click here

For those who want to go on to the wedding page click here