Erin and Pete

Posted Monday, December 29, 2008 11:24 AM

For a few months, the two of us had been planning a trip to New York City for Labor Day. Little did I know that he was planning to do more than sightsee. Our first stop was the Empire State Building. Waiting in line, Pete pointed out that there was the option of going to the 102nd floor in addition to the traditional observatory on the 86th floor. At first, I was all for it, but then I found out how much extra it costs to do the 102nd floor and wanted to back out. Pete was very insistent that we spend the extra dough and go all the way to the top. After about 20 minutes wandering around looking at the tiny cityscape below, and Pete asked if I wanted a snack. I said sure, and he pulled a box of Cracker Jack out of his backpack. Not comprehending what was going on (even though Pete and I joked about him not being able to afford an engagement ring for me and having to find one in a box of Cracker Jack), I laughed about the snack and started to open the box without noticing that it was only taped shut. Inside, the liner had also been opened, and I finally wondered why. Pete said that was interesting and held the box open for me to see. Inside was a small bag with a ring in it! It was a decoy ring, but he quickly got out the real ring and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Who would have thought that they put such great prizes in Cracker Jack boxes?