Nona Green and Ray Bowers - May 19, 2007

When and Where

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 during a Swing Dance at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD

As told by her...

Ray asked me if I wanted to go to Dean and Dawn's wednesday night dance at Cherry Hill the week before and I said, "no". He tried to talk me into it, but I told him I was working a twelve hour day. The next week, he asked again and I said, "Yes". So, on the night of April 26th, we were at Dean and Dawn's dance event at Cherry Hill. Ray asked Dean to play one of my favorite songs ("Aint No Sunshine"). He took my hand and took me to the dance floor. We danced. He made me laugh...then before I knew what hit me, he had spun me around, dropped onto one knee and sat me on the other one. I thought, "Wow! that was impressive" and then realized he was looking at me differently...a little nervous, but very adoring and happy. He said, "This is the place we met and this is the place on the floor we first danced, so I thought it would be the perfect place to ask you...Will you marry me?" I smiled, looked deep into his eyes and said, "Yes!" and we kissed. Then I started to cry and he pulled out a ring and slipped it on my finger...I did a double take...it was his high school ring! He leaned in and whispered, "I'll explain later" and then said, "Turn to your left" and Dawn took our picture. It was like a dream. It happened so fast. Then Dean announced..."For those who aren't aware, Ray just asked Nona to marry him and she said yes". Everyone turned to look at us and applauded. Ray walked me off the floor. I think I was in a daze. We sat down at our table and I asked him to say it again and he did...and I cried some more...happy tears and he held me.

As told by him...

For those who were not there, this evening at Dean and Dawn's Cherry Hill dance in Maryland, I wanted to share some good news. I asked Nona Green to marry me and she said Yes.

To do it, Dean played "Ain't no sunshine" and I asked Nona to dance. I took her to the same spot where a few years ago at a Wednesday night Dean and Dawn dance I first remember meeting her and dancing together.

Half way through the song, with everyone else still dancing around us, I spun Nona to a sitting position on my knee while I kneeled on the other. At first she thought I was just playing with a new dance move, but she quickly realized there was more to it than that. I told her this was where we met and first danced so it seemed only fitting it is where I should ask her to marry me. It was a complete surprise for her and one I was happy to share with our friends there.

Nona could, and probably will, tell a bit lengthier version, but I thought I would beat her to the punch and get the highlights out. Thanks to Dean for playing the song, Dawn for grabbing my camera and getting this photo and of course bringing her onto the team (and into my clutches *sinister chuckle*) Ok, now she can now take over and have fun telling the ring story...