“Serpentine! Serpentine!” I thought, as Katie screamed and ran.
When under fire, running a serpentine pattern makes you a harder target to hit according to the classic Alan Arkin/Peter Falk comedy “The In Laws” – an appropriate reference. Perhaps even a nice little life lesson, since life often takes pot shots at you when you least expect it.
Peyton had been plotting the event for months. The Plan: propose to Becca at sunset at her favorite vacation spot in Door County Wisconsin. For extra dramatic effect, he secretly invited his family and Becca’s to spring out of hiding once the question was popped for hugs and happiness all around. So the McDermotts and the Lairds made the long trek from Iowa and Minnesota and Chicago to the peninsula of Wisconsin nestled between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, ready to be part of the surprise on Saturday night.
But then, it rained.
Peyton sent the two families-in-hiding a text: “Postponed until sunset tomorrow.”
“Serpentine! Serpentine!”
The families did not miss a beat, our schedules instantly began to duck and weave. We now had a new mission: To enjoy the holiday weekend in this beautiful, resort community without being seen by Becca!
We bought matching sunglasses to provide the proper incognito disguise.
Knowing the young lovers’ movements via regular updates from Peyton, we stayed either just ahead or just behind them, taking candid selfies at all the places they ate, hiked, and mini-golfed. It was a fun, family bonding experience.
On Sunday, Peyton texted that they would be at the shoreline in Ephraim, across from iconic Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlor, for the sunset event. Once we were in position behind them, with cameras ready, he would begin the knee-bending ceremony.
As we gathered on the lawn next to Wilson’s in front of the Chef’s Hat Café, a mere 15 yards behind an unsuspecting Becca, Marty, Peyton’s dad, set up his camera with a tripod and telephoto lens to capture the moment.
Katie hit Peyton’s twin brother, Connor, “Get a close up!” She pointed to the car parked on the street about five feet behind the bench where Becca and Peyton sat.
“What?! How? They’ll see me for sure!” Connor said.
“Get behind that car and use the selfie stick!” Katie insisted while pantomiming her instructions.
Like the spy he’d become, Connor deftly darted across the highway, crouched down behind the back wheel and extended the selfie stick beyond the trunk, snapping away, hoping for the best.
Behind us, the crowd of outdoor diners enjoying the sunset at the Chef’s Hat Café, noticed that multiple cameras were being trained on the couple sitting on the bench while the rest of our motley crew awkwardly stood there watching…something was going on.
Peyton and Becca stood up. The café crowd murmured in unison. Becca seemingly glanced back in our direction and those of us without cameras scattered like a flock of birds reacting to a shot. Katie screamed as she leapt behind a tree. I spun around in a circle like a dog chasing my own tail. “Serpentine! Serpentine!”
Peyton directed Becca’s gaze forward, away from us. He dropped to one knee, silhouetted by the setting sun, and the café crowd gasped in unison. Becca cried, nodded yes, and embraced Peyton. A loud cheer, applause, and tears broke out from the café patio.
It was all very sweet and romantic. When life doesn’t go as planned, stay focused, bob and weave, and there’s a good chance all will turn out well.
Cheers to the happy couple!
May 27, 2018, Ephraim, Door County, Wisconsin