The Lover’s Question

Okay… so I figured out that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Kimberly. How now, to propose? I wanted to do something really special, original and that related a lot to my personality and our relationship. Oh… and it had to be inexpensive. I think these are the characteristics that are going to punctuate all of our wedding planning decisions.

So I thought of some memorable feats my friends had told me about. My friend Jennifer’s husband lived on a bluff overlooking a lake, and wrote “Marry Me Jenn” in votive candles on the shore. But I don’t live on a lake. I live in a trailer park.

Then I thought about being really outrageous. A cow, flung from a catapult with “Marry Me Kim” spray-painted on the side. No; too Monty Python. And the PETA people would be all over me.

Being the extremely mushy guy that I am, there are a lot of songs that I listen to that get me pining more than usual for Kimberly. Then it dawned on me… I decided to make her a CD, and the first letters of the song titles would spell out “Will You Marry Me?”

I went to work immediately. Now the tough work of picking the songs for my masterpiece that would be titled “A Lover’s Question.” Here’s what I came up with.

When I Need You - Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross is just plain sexy. I can’t stand Leo Sayer’s original version of this song, but it really captures how desperately I long to be with Kimberly when she’s not around.
I Will - Alison Krauss
Kimberly loves the Beatles, and I clumsily twang my way through this song on guitar. I also love the way other people do Beatles songs, one of my quirks.
Lovers in a Dangerous Time - Barenaked Ladies
This song, with its political overtones, reflects our political consciousness, as well as the fact that despite failing in past relationships, we’re willing to risk it again.
Love Rescue Me - U2
What could be better than Bob Dylan and U2 together? This song gives me chills every time I hear it. A testament to the redemptive power of love.

You Send Me - Otis Redding
True from the moment we met.
Oh Yoko - John Lennon
I love how John obsessed over Yoko. They were an awfully cute couple, even if their relationship was a major contributing factor to the demise of our beloved Beatles.
Under Pressure - David Bowie and Queen
We lead very stressful lives. Love makes it much easier.

Married Man - Neil Young and the Bluenotes
I love Neil Young, and since I sing just like him, Kimberly likes him too. I look forward to being a married man and assiduously rebuking the advances of the throngs of women that throw themselves at me. Ha ha ha ha.
And I Love Her - Diana Krall
This is a beautiful Beatles song, and Diana Krall just takes it to a whole new level.
Rebel Rebel - Rickie Lee Jones
One thing Kimberly has taught me, that I will always cherish her for, is to question just about every norm that society imposes on us. She also has an ultra-sexy “hot tramp” thing working.
Right by Your Side - Eurythmics
We heard this song New Year’s Eve at the drag show. I hadn’t heard it in forever. Cheesy, sure, but I love it.
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me - Cyndi Lauper
Another fabulous Beatles song soulfully rendered by Cyndi Lauper. It captures the mild level of frustration involved with falling in love when you don’t necessarily want to.

My Beloved Monster - The Eels
This is one the most ultimately quirky love songs. It’s from the movie Shrek. Shrek and Fiona are walking along blowing up reptiles and twisting them into cute balloons while falling madly in love.
Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye - Annie Lennox
I just can’t wait to live with Kimberly. Parting is even harder now that we’re engaged. I love Cole Porter songs too.

My presentation was somewhat flawed. I had to give her a few clues to help her find the question.

And the rest, hopefully, will be history.