Friends of the Parks

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2006 Proposal at Sunrise As told by Mary Bixby The summer of 2006 was our third year in a row participating in Friends of the Parks' L.A.T.E. Ride. We started riding it together and really enjoy it. Ron and I have been together as a couple for 3-1/2 years and have known each other for over four years. We live in Zion, Illinois. As we were waiting for our wave to leave early Sunday morning, we listened to the announcement about a couple who had gotten engaged at the ride a few years ago. I remember thinking, what a nice and unique way to propose. Ron and I had broached the subject of marriage before, but felt hesitant as we've "been down that road before." We enjoyed the ride, as humid as it was. It's always a good time riding through the streets at night with "ten thousand of our closest friends." The sky was starting to brighten as we headed toward the last leg of the ride - the beautiful lakefront bicycle path. As we neared the beach, Ron asked if I'd like to stop and watch the sunrise. This wasn't an unusual question for him, as it's something we enjoy and so many other riders stop to do so, too. So I said, "Sure." I chose to stop at Navy Pier, one of our favorite places to visit. However, when we got there, the gates were locked and we couldn't ride down to the end as we would have liked to do. Ron saw I was a little disappointed, but said, "No problem, we can just watch the sunrise when we get to the end at Buckingham Fountain." I agreed and we rode on to finish our ride. We did our usual stuff when we finished, picked up our breakfast and sat down at the front of the fountain facing the lake (down by the steps at Lake Shore Drive). Ron said, "Well, another 25 miles done. Three in a row. Did you enjoy the ride this time?" I said "Sure, I always like this." Then he asked me, "So you are going to stick around then?" and I said "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere." He then said, "No, are you going to stick around then, like, permanently?" And I said, "Yeah, Ron, I love you. Of course I'm going to stick around!" So then he inched up closer to me, with a big smile and said, "Well then, do you want to make it legal?" I gasped...took a deep breath and said, "Oh my God, yes!" "Well, good, 'cause I got this for you," he responded. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the ring he'd carried all 25 miles. He got up and hugged me tight and I just burst into tears. The people around us probably wondered just what the heck was going on. Ron said, "Well, it takes a pretty special person to finish three L.A.T.E. Rides with me. I'm glad it's you." We then laughed and I said, "So that's why you wanted to stop and watch the sunrise!" Mary Bixby & Ron Meyer << Back to the Special Participant Profiles