Hey mamas (and papas, looking at you too!), buckle up for a story that’s equal parts mushy gush and full-on adventure! I’m Diana, a full-time entrepreneur, a part-time circus ringleader (affectionately known as “Mama” to my crew of five amazing boys!), and a firm believer in the magic of unexpected moments. Speaking of magic, let me tell you about the most incredible, most us proposition ever – right in front of Lady Liberty, with my five little shadows as our cheering squad!
Now, some might think a proposal with five rambunctious boys under ten in tow sounds like a recipe for disaster. But let me tell you, Papi (the ever-patient, always-game partner in crime) somehow orchestrated the most perfect, most “us” moment imaginable. It all started with a whirlwind trip to New York City. We were on a mission to conquer the concrete jungle with our little crew – think epic playground battles, museum meltdowns (inevitable with this many opinions!), and enough hot dog stands to fuel a small army (courtesy of Papi, who knows the way to a boy’s heart!).
Attempt Number 1: That I Ruined!
One sunny morning, we found ourselves on a ferry headed towards the iconic Statue of Liberty. The boys, wide-eyed with excitement, were bouncing off the walls, pointing at seagulls and yelling “Look, Mama!” at every passing landmark. Little did I know, Papi had a secret plan brewing under his Yankees baseball cap.
As we disembarked on Liberty Island, the boys raced ahead, eager to explore the base of the statue. Papi and I followed at a slower pace, stopping to soak in the breathtaking view of Lady Liberty rising majestically against the clear blue sky. Suddenly, Papi steered me off the main path, towards a quiet corner overlooking the water. Confused, I looked at him like a crazy man, thinking that our boys were going to wander too far and get lost. So, what did I do? Oh, I ruined attempt number one of his proposal by walking away from him to find the boys!
Attempt Number 2: Yep, Also Ruined!
This ever-patient man just quietly followed me to the boys and went right back into Papi mode, showing the boys every sight he could find. He then handed his phone to my mom and asked her to take a family photo of us with the water and Manhattan skyline behind us.
You know this Mama, I LOVE me some family photos, so I happily jumped in. We were able to wrangle all 5 boys, get them facing in one direction and got us a beautiful family photo. But little did I know, Papi was at it again! After our photo, he began talking to the boys, getting them to put their hands into a circle so we could do our familiar family chant and was going on about what family meant.
Oh it was sentimental and sweet… and too long for the boys. They were losing interest and fast, and while Papi was doing his best, this lady, always fearful of a meltdown, swooped in, said “That’s nice honey, we need to keep moving!” and walked away. Yep, had no idea what I was ruining it for the second time now!
Third Time’s a Charm!
Ok, most men would have given up by now, but when your Papi to five crazy boys, you learn to put up with a lot. So, as we meandered away from the water, he called all the boys for one more photo in front of Lady Liberty herself. Within seconds of handing my mom his phone yet again, and before I could ruin it again, Papi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. My breath caught in my throat. Time seemed to slow down as the boys, oblivious to the unfolding scene, continued their explorations while only pretending to listen to Luis.
Papi presented me the ring, his eyes sparkling with love and a hint of nervousness and asked me to marry him. Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened, feeling incredibly grateful for this amazing man and the life we’d built together… and his patience. And then, as if on cue, the boys, sensing something momentous happening, turned around and smiled down on us for the best picture yet. Their initial surprise quickly turned into squeals of delight and excited shouts of “Mama! Papi! What’s happening?”
There we were, in this tiny corner of Liberty Island, surrounded by the vastness of the city and the immensity of Lady Liberty, with our five little bundles of joy jumping up and down, cheering for us. It was a scene straight out of a rom-com, only messier, louder, and a whole lot more real.
On to Our Next Chapter!
Of course, I said yes! Through the tears and the laughter, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect proposal. Sure, it wasn’t a fancy restaurant or a romantic getaway weekend. But it was us – raw, real, and surrounded by the love of our family. And in that moment, I knew that this crazy, adventurous life we’d built together was exactly what I wanted forever.
Looking back, that day under Lady Liberty wasn’t just about a proposal. It was a symbol of everything our relationship is – a beautiful mix of adventure, love, and the unexpected. We were starting a new chapter, a journey of marriage, with our little crew by our side every step of the way. It might not be a fairytale, but it’s our story, and it’s pretty darn amazing.
So, mamas (and papas!), don’t be afraid to embrace the chaos. The most magical moments often happen when you least expect them, sometimes with a chorus of “Mama!” and a sprinkle of French fries. Marriage and parenthood are wild rides, full of unexpected twists and turns. But with the right partner by your side, and a whole lot of love, you can conquer any adventure, even one with five little co-pilots.