July 7, 2022
A Scavenger Hunt Back In Time Through The Emerald City
There are so many wonderful moments in a love story that lead up to the start of happily ever after, the wedding day. But perhaps none as sweet as the proposal. I love learning about the special moments in my clients love stories and who and how the big questions was asked. In the past I have shared some of those proposal stories with you and thought it only fair that I share mine with you as well. So sit back, and enjoy the scavenger hunt of a lifetime as I did on August 27th 2017… I hope you are ready, cause here we go:
It was the Sunday before my birthday and Brendan was up early for his Fantasy Football Draft, or at least that was what he led me to believe. The day before had been a bit crazy and draining so he suggested that I sleep in. Which was in of itself a present cause I love to sleep in when I can on the weekend. However, I would soon find out that the universe had other plans for me that morning.
I was awoken abruptly at 9:30am with a call from “The Game Keeper”, or at least that was what my phone said, and when I answered in my half sleepy haze they hung up. Rather annoyed I sat up to find a letter on the pillow next to me which read:
“Your little baux is gone, and he’ll be dead by dawn
Lest you solve these riddles, be warned you mustn’t fiddle
For you must find him first or for sure his head will burst
So get yourself ready, and out of that cute little teddy
We have found you a friend, as this misdeed you must mend
Your clothes are all laid out, ready for your walkabout
Next look in the refrigerator, where you will find a mood escalator
With it you will find your first mystery, so remember your history.”
I stumbled to the fridge, eyes barely open to find my favorite Starbucks concoction waiting for me along with my first clue:
“ Find the first task within Magic’s hidden jewel
For you and your good friend shall incite a duel
This is a place to find one’s Destiny
And it’s not to far from his current company
You’ll find it on the chief’s “bald head”
So quick, hurry up, get yourself out of bed
Under your beautiful name
Is a brand-new wonderful game
And inside you’ll find three new clues
For you two to do.”
I will have to admit I was a tad frantic and finding it way too early for games, I ran around getting dressed and taking care of our dogs, Shakespeare and Lily, all the while trying to figure out the first clue. During this process I looked at Lily several times and exclaimed “ Your father is in so much trouble, it is way too early for this!” With little to no time to do my hair and makeup, I threw my hair back into a rather messy ponytail and grabbed my makeup bag as I headed for the door. I stopped for a brief moment to text the Game Keeper to confirm I had figured out the first location then quickly pet the pups, hopped in the car and headed to MOX, one of our favorite game shops and restaurants in Ballard.
I should also note that the gamekeeper only gave me a little less than an hour and a half from the time I woke up to get this all done and be out the door.
Heart racing I arrived at Mox totally frazzled and only half way through my morning coffee. To my relief as I entered the door a store clerk approached me and asked if he could help me find anything. I thanked him and showed him my clue . He asked me to wait just a moment then disappeared into a back room. A few seconds later to my delight he came out and handed me a game called 7 Wonders, which I had only played once in my entire life.
Confused I sat down at the nearest table still companionless I will point out and opened the box to find another letter:
“Dear Abagail,
The rules of this game are simple: Each place will have a new clue you must solve to find the next clue, Along the way you will be able to claim your gifts. You must hurry though, as you must finish the game by a certain time to receive your final gift.
Sometimes, there will be games within games, as this one is. Each round of the game has included a clue. There is no need to shuffle the cards, as everything is already prepared. To make sure to play all the way through to the end before moving to your next gift.
Also this is your game to keep. Happy Birthday!
The Game Keeper”
I started pulling out the game when to my delight my friend Andrea rushed in to the rescue. The important thing to keep in mind is that she was told nothing about the day other than we were playing a game together and she was to accompany me for the rest of the day. Both of us rather confused by what was going on talked through the rules and started playing round one and found this clue:
“For politics you hate,
This we don’t need to debate
But this is where bills are born
And deceitful politicians are sworn.”
We originally interpreted this to mean Congress to learn from the Gamekeeper we were close but it actually was Capitol Hill.
“Church, temple, synagogue, safe house,
Emergency shelter, refugee camp.
What do these have in common?”
This one we figured out right away it meant Sanctuary. We finished round two to find another rather confusing clue in round three:
“If one was to use a thesaurus
You may confuse this which lightens your torus.
“Far Kleenex caress”
Just sounds like such a mess
You’ll have to dress down to your shorts
At three times four and two quarts.”
We figured out it had something to do with a massage but for the life of us could not figure out what the rest meant. It took several other clues and help from the Game Keeper to figure out we were supposed to go to a massage parlor in Capitol Hill called Sanctuary. Almost at that exact moment I was notified that I had been sent an Uber gift card.
We proceeded to finish the game at 12:35 to find out from the Game Keeper that 3×4 and 2 quarts meant our appointment was at 12:30! Flustered, we activated the Uber card and called for a ride.
Our driver was very pleasant and we finally made it to our appointment, granted 30 minutes late but the owner was super sweet about the whole thing and made arrangements for both of us to get a 30 minute massage and ended up refunding the Gamekeeper money for the other half of the hour we missed. I thanked them for understanding and their time at the end of the appointment at which time they handed me their card and another clue.
“Remember back to the days of Stars Hollow?
Digger will be the one you will follow
For he knows the way to the best coffee in town,
Though his malapropism made our favorite grump frown.”
Ok so thinking of Gilmore Girls, Stars Hollow and coffee all I could think of was Luke’s. Even after looking up malapropism we were still stumped so we inquired again for a helpful hint. Which was a place that rhymes with Luke’s aka Duke’s ( one of my favorite seafood restaurants) which has nothing in common with Gilmore Girls other than Digger kept referring to Luke’s as Duke’s. Once again we called for our Uber Chariot and were on our way.
We arrived at Duke’s to find a hostess who had no idea who I was or what I was talking about. Andrea instinctively asked for a manager who at least knew who I was. He handed me a gift card and escorted us to a waterfront patio table for two. We checked in with the Gamekeeper to make sure we had time for a leisurely lunch. Which we did and after we paid the bill and Andrea kindly paid the difference we got our next clue:
“Go to the place your favorite elixir was born,
For without this you can be cranky in the morn,
It’s there they have your drinks waiting
Make sure you give them a very good rating.”
This was easy of course… Starbucks on Pike and First… I know my coffee, hehee.
So we called Uber once again and we were off.
Starbucks was of course packed and our cashier once again had no idea what I was talking about. The manager thankfully did. She had both Andrea and my favorite beverages waiting along with our next clue:
“It’s time to enter Golden Age
Into the underground, my beautiful mage
Go find the book of clockwork hearts
A count of your beaux’s aunts will tell you part.
(Do not forget he has two aunt Carols)”
This clue was easy for me to figure out. Golden Age is one of Brendan’s and my favorite geek stores in the market. Clockwork Hearts alludes to my favorite Alice in the Land of Hearts Manga, and Carol of course alluded to Lewis Carol and Alice in wonderland. Upon entering Golden Age I quickly located the book with the clue:
“Take up any book, out of this nook
And tell them your name, it’s part of the game
They have a certificate, so do be diligent
As a story is your reward, and the next you will adore.”
We walked around the store for a few while I decided on which story to take home with me. I finally decided on a book that I had seen at the store before that I was very eager to read, Romeo and/or Juliet by Ryan North.
At the cash register I gave them my name. They in turn handed me a gift card and suggested a tote bag for all the gifts I obtained. Andrea sweetly insisted on paying for the Princess Bride tote that I chose.
Inside the gift card envelope was yet another clue:
“Oh, it looks like the Doctor has been quite busy
For he landed near in this Emerald City
Look there behind him inside his spaceship
That is where you will find a gift and the next tip.”
Again a clue that I got immediately…after all I’m the Dr’s Companion 😉
I asked them where the life size cut out of the Dr and the Tardis stood. They directed me to the front hall right outside their door. I was a tad hesitant to touch the life-size cutouts as they are merchandise people can buy but Andrea jumped right in and started moving the figures of the Dr away and looked behind the Tardis to find a pretty pink package with a clue. Before even reading the clue I tore open the package to find a beautiful Wonder Woman bracelet.
After putting it on I proceeded to read the clue:
“Now claim the next gift with this bracelet
Just remember the dahlia’s and you will be set
For back upstairs they have a booth that’s near
To them exclaim:
“I am Wonder Woman, and I have no fear!”
I knew immediately where to go. Dahlias were part of the floral décor for a wedding I had done earlier in August. Brendan had accompanied me that day to the farmers market to hunt for the dark red Dahlias. The lady we ended up buying them from had a booth at Pike’s Place Market that her twin sister ran as well.
Andrea and I headed to booth 14 where I blushed as I recited the line from the clue. I was sure they were going to think I was crazy but to my pleasant surprise they were ready for us. The lady chuckled as she handed me a beautiful bouquet of purple and white dahlias.
Tucked inside the beautiful bouquet was my next clue:
“You worked at this place, but had no briefcase
Look inside the custom dresses, with no stresses
And ask for help, but you don’t have to yelp
For they have it on hold, now you will look quite bold.”
Having been fully caffeinated I immediately knew where we needed to go. However, I was finding it hard to speak,so I handed the card to Andrea who giggled as she realized it was Macy’s we had to seek. She found a Macy’s location two blocks from where we were and confirmed with the Gamekeeper that was the right location.
We arrived in the special occasions department and asked if they had a dress with my name on it, they did. It wasn’t a new dress but my favorite dress that was accompanied by a note:
“Put on this dress, you mustn’t guess
As the final part is here, look in your pocket my dear”
So I asked for a dressing room. I put on the dress and heels I found in the bag I stuck my hand in my dress pocket and pulled out the last clue:
“Big ___,
Golden Gate ___,
___ work Couture
@ ___of July + ____ Place Market
When the hands hold 5&3”
Filling in the blanks I got: Ben Bridge Clock at 4th street and pike. Andrea looked up Ben Bridge and found that it was a jeweler. Seeing as we didn’t have to be there till 5:15 and had thirty minutes to spare I asked if there was a hair and makeup place nearby. Remember I had no time to do my hair or makeup to this point. Andrea knew of a Sephora right across the street so we hurried off. Andrea explained the situation to the manager on staff. They were booked but she found someone to help my look feel more complete. They apologized that they did not do hair to which I just smiled and replied “ no worries” and quickly set about refining my messy ponytail. Meanwhile Andrea bought me an eyeshadow palette as a birthday present along with something for herself to thank them for their time.
All set to go we made our way to the clock outside Ben Bridge where the build up and my nerves were finally set at ease as the magic unfolded:
As we approached the clock right outside the store a musician started playing and singing Brendan and my song, “Feel Again” by One Republic. I grabbed Andrea’s hand and wheeled around to find Brendan all decked out in his blue suit coming around the corner. Another thing to note is for some odd reason when I am surprised with something I really want I start backing up. I have no idea why I do this, it is just an uncontrollable quirk I have. So as I started backing up Andrea pulled me closer to Brendan and put my hand in his.
She took the collection of gifts from me and Brendan got on one knee and revealed a gorgeous custom sapphire ring. After reciting a beautiful speech said “ Will you marry me” and with tears in my eyes and shaking voice I replied “Of course I will.” Then we embraced and had our first kiss as an engaged couple.
But the story nor the surprises stop there. He had hired a photographer for the proposal and to take engagement photos right then and there. He also asked two of our other friends to videotape the proposal on their phones.
As a thank you to them and to celebrate Brendan suggested we should all go eat at MOX.
On the drive to meet them he informs me no one knew he was going to propose other than our parents. I should note not even Andrea knew and was just as shocked as I was and cried as well. We called the parents on the ride to tell them the great news. When we finally got to the restaurant they escorted us to the speakeasy room door which Brendan acted like he had no idea how to open so I pushed it open to, “Surprise, Happy Birthday!”
All our other Seattle friends and family were there. As I walked into the room Brendan whispered in my ear ” Do you want to tell them?”.
I immediately threw up my hand and screamed, ” Oh by the way we are engaged!”
The whole room erupted in joyful cheers. Brendan and I rehashed the story of the day as we all ate dinner together and had beautiful Beauty & the Beast themed cupcakes for dessert. Then the night finished off with a few rounds of the game that started my day off on the amazing adventure, 7 Wonders.
Links to locations in this story to help inspire your own proposal adventure:
Dukes
xo, Abagail
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