We were celebrating our one-year anniversary at a cozy restaurant, surrounded by the warm glow of candles and the soft hum of laughter. My boyfriend, Blake, and I had planned the perfect evening, with my parents watching over our 4-year-old son, Liam. But little did I know, the night would take an unexpected turn.
Blake seemed distracted throughout dinner, constantly glancing around the restaurant and fidgeting in his seat. I brushed it off as nerves, but as the evening wore on, his behavior became more erratic. He asked the waiter odd questions about security cameras and outdoor events, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.
Suddenly, Blake shot out of his seat, knocking over his chair, and rushed outside, screaming “He did it again!” I was shocked and confused, but my confusion turned to terror as I saw Liam’s toy car floating in the pool.
A memory from almost a year ago flashed back – a barbecue at a friend’s house, Liam playing near the pool, and me turning my back for just a second. I’d heard the splash and panicked, but Blake had jumped in and saved Liam from drowning. Now, history seemed to be repeating itself.
Without hesitation, Blake dove into the pool, fully clothed, and pulled Liam to safety. I was frozen in fear, but as I watched Blake hand Liam over to me, relief washed over me. Liam was safe, and Blake’s actions had saved him.
But Blake wasn’t done yet. He dove back into the pool, again and again, until he emerged with a small, shiny object in his hand. As he walked towards me, water streaming down his face, he dropped to one knee and revealed a sparkling diamond ring.
“Liam already thinks I’m his hero,” he said, looking up at me with those warm, steady eyes. “But I want to be your hero too. Forever.” His voice trembled as he asked, “Will you marry me?”
Tears of joy blurred my vision as I nodded, overwhelmed with emotion. The restaurant erupted in cheers, and our families rejoiced with us. As Blake slipped the ring onto my finger, I knew that this was just the beginning of our new life together.
In that moment, I realized that the real treasure wasn’t the ring on my finger but the man who had saved my son’s life, not once but twice, and had given me a new kind of forever. Blake was my hero, and I was grateful to have him by my side.
