Part I
What a scene…
The Yonge & Eglinton CopaCabana Brazilian Steakhouse location was not new stomping ground for this couple, as it was the winterlicious selection for a February 2011 birthday dinner; one that the birthday boy did not readily enjoy as he was nursing an unexpected stomach ache. Fast forward now to February 6, 2013, once again this couple is found at CopaCabana, now celebrating an anniversary dinner and seated at the same 2011 table, a spot strategically and deliberately chosen by the groom-to-be. So, after a trip to the salad bar, a round of caipirinhas and some relationship based conversation, during which Mr. Sean Barrow seems very nervous and uncharacteristically twitchy, he decides to share that he does not have much of an appetite, is feeling unwell and his stomach is “unsettled”. Sandra’s internal thoughts – “You got to be kidding me!!! ~ Not again!!! ~ I told him we should have gone somewhere else! ~ This place is cursed for us!!!”. Externally Sandra says – “Oh no sweety, this place is just not meant for us but maybe if you go and use the “restroom” you will feel a lot better”.
Sean then excuses himself from the table and moments later Sandra’s head turns to the stage area as she hears the opening chords of Betterman – Musiq Soulchild; a song that Sean had dedicated to her and their relationship. To Sandra’s amazement, Sean is taking the solo lead while LYNC sings backup and the band played in the background – WHAT A SCENE!!! Sandra is then escorted to front row by one Mr. Daniel Jackman (chauffer) and takes in every envious look from the Thursday night uptown crowd lol. Trying to capture the moment on her PB, Sandra takes in every moment and watches Sean leave the restaurant after the serenading is done. Getting up to follow suit, Sandra is detained and asked to take a seat as a poem recited. With the recitation now complete, Sandra is whisked away by Daniel and advised “Please come with me, I will be your chauffer for the evening”. Sandra’s internal thoughts – “I hope it isn’t in a TTC bus”…
Part II
… only envisioned in dreams…
Now nicely settled in a freshly detailed van making their way across the city, through conversation, Sandra and Daniel discover that they share mutual friends and both frequented the same private school – Kingsway College. Then came the promotional advertising segment for Tim Horton’s Chai Tea brought to you by nervous and lost best man Mr. Daniel Jackman (chauffeur) lol Then came the unexpected car side sweep, a broken side view mirror and a weird pit stop at a west end Tim Horton’s.
After being told to stay put in the van while a chai tea order was being made, Sandra call’s her bestie – Yvonne Maidment – and advises “I was just serenaded by Sean & LYNC, have just been kidnapped by one of Sean’s friends, who is rambling about chai tea, and now we are in a Tim Horton’s parking lot – WHAT IS GOING ON?!?” Bewildered Yvonne – “Do you think he is going to propose?!?” Sandra – “Oh my goodness! I got to go, the chauffeur is coming back”. Trying to regain her composure, Sandra tries to gather her thoughts, feelings and settle the thudding of her heart as Daniel pulls up to the old High Park location of the Portuguese Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Coming to a stop, the van is put in park, Daniel slides open the door and helps Sandra out into that parking lot where Sean and Sandra first met. The scene Sandra witnessed was one only envisioned in dreams but the truth was this was her actual reality – a candle lit path branching into a semicircle that encompassed the exact spot where they first met, a handsome Sean waiting for his Sandra, a Sean down on bended knee, a series of amorous words and declarations (most of which was blocked out by the thundering beats of Sandra’s heart), a “Sandra Maria Evora – Will You Marry Me” and a series of “YES, YES, YES, YES, YES…”
Part III
“Why is he taking this way home?”
Thinking the adventures of the evening were done, Sandra settled herself into her “fiancé’s” van basking in the aftermath of the amazing proposal. Sean then proceeds to ask Sandra about this graphics magazine he had sent her on mission to find.
Sandra: “Sorry papi, I tried to pickup the magazine at the Shoppers by my work but I couldn’t locate it and the store was like a zoo and no one was around to ask”.
Sandra’s internal thoughts – “Why is he taking this way home? He never takes this route”.
Sean: “Its ok baby, we can check out the Walmart by your house but they usually only carry the magazine at Shoppers”.
Sandra’s internal thoughts – “Why does he want this magazine so bad?”.
Sandra: “Oh ok hun, we can stop by the Shoppers on Dundas close to Runnymede, it is just here to the right”.
As they pulled into Shopper Drug Mart’s parking lot, Sandra was on the phone with her friend Martha sharing the amazing story of the proposal. As she stepped into the Shoppers still giggling with her girl, she looked at perfume and makeup slowly making her way to the magazine stand. For the second time that night, “OH MY GOODNESS!!!” only now it was “MY FACE IS PLASTERED ON THE COVER OF A MAGAZINE – Sorry mami but I got to go!!!”. There on the Shoppers Drug Mart magazine stand was the February 6, 2013 first issue of Adoravél Magazine created by Bluefrog Creative, nicely packaged in plastic with a price value of $7.99. A magazine designed by Sean which included a compilation of stories, anecdotes and pictures from Sandra’s friends and family; a beautiful memento for his bride-to-be. After lots of screeching, rounds of applause and congratulations, Sean and Sandra walked out of the Shoppers hand-in-hand and off to share their 3 part engagement story with their families; a story to be continued… Forever.
Click here to view the Adoravel Magazine.