Prime
How far will you go for a perfect proposal?
What you need to know:
The creativity and sheer audacity keeps increasing by the day. They have taken them to highways. You are in a frustrating mid afternoon traffic jam and boom, a brother hits the tarmac, cameras and unsuspecting girl in tow
Our society is embracing a certain snobbishness that looks at unbridled romance as nothing but calculated “simping”. I stand in passionate defence of publicly flaunting true, unadulterated love. But I draw the line at public proposals.
For as far as I remember, my freedom-loving self has viewed public proposals as coercive events that use public pressure to score a “yes”. The other day, I was going through my Facebook feed (remember that site?) and landed on a post I made back in January 2012. I was watching an English premier league game at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club, one of the oldest and most storied clubs in English football.
At half time, an Everton fan, probably well connected with the club leadership, strolled onto the pitch at the centre, his girlfriend in tow. She had a confused look about her – cannot blame the young lady. Anyways, as if to provide quick answers to her lingering questions, young man pulled out a ring and went on one knee. His intended, stretched out her hand and he nimbly slipped the ring on her finger. Hugs and kisses followed.
She did not look overjoyed but he had sealed the deal; at least for that moment. As the stadium erupted with cheers, I thought to myself: “nothing like the peer pressure of 30-odd thousand screaming fans to sway a dubious decision”.
After the game, I really didn’t think much of it. I only shook my head and muttered “White people” under my breath and moved on swiftly. That is until fairly recently when this public marriage proposal thing became a pandemic in Uganda. You will be in your preferred restaurant, minding your business only to find yourself a part of a well orchestrated coercive moment people call a public proposal.
The creativity and sheer audacity keeps increasing by the day. They have taken them to highways. You are in a frustrating mid afternoon traffic jam and boom, a brother hits the tarmac, cameras and unsuspecting girl in tow. I do not know how to feel about it. Whenever I am caught in the middle of such recklessness, I want to act nonchalant yet cannot look away.
I get an uneasy feeling only closely rivaled by the uneasiness that comes from watching an impending train wreck. You do not wanna watch but you cannot look away. I had hoped no one in my circles would do such a thing until this one time a brother thought it was a good idea to propose to his girlfriend on top of Mt Muhabura in Gisoro. Any seasoned East African mountaineer knew that was a terrible idea. The hike up Muhabura is the toughest one day hike in East Africa.
This brother, however, was not to be deterred. He and his girlfriend were sports people with national accolades to both their names. Fancy gear was bought, gym time put in and the day came. Some of his co-conspirators went with him, champagne and ring in their backpacks. Others stayed with the beautiful, athletic young lady. A seven-hour trek up the mountain started.
He got to the scenic peak, allowing for a view into Rwanda, Congo and the vast expanse of Gisoro. There are not many more beautiful views in East Africa. A picnic site was set up. We waited. She did not reach half way the mountain. Altitude sickness had other plans. The future “bridal entourage” had to turn back to the campsite, crestfallen.
The proposal happened still; on an unplanned campfire, one of the best proposals we have ever witnessed. Old romantics like yours truly still value the spontaneity that comes with these things. In case you are wondering, my outdoor friends are happily married now and five children later, they cringe at every public proposal they see on the internet. You should too. 🤭
