Te Gusta

“I’m not going to ask you marry me,” as worry created wrinkles around his eyes. I could have actually cared less at that moment. You are familiar with that moment. No, not the one where your boyfriend says he’s not going to marry you, but the feeling where the plane is taxiing down the runway creating those excitement butterflies. The butterflies amplified by the quick lift of the plane, reminding you that the destination is but a few hours away.
My boyfriend and I were on our way to Cancun, Mexico. The trip itself was meant to be typical. A chain all-inclusive resort coupled with drinking on the beach, under the cabana, around the pool - anywhere really. Four days of fun in the Quintana Roo sun made better by Mexican sea salt and tequila.
To me, however, it was a tantric release that had been pent up for the past six years since my first international excursion to Spain. Deep breath in – finally – Oh! It’s been too long travel. I’ve missed you.
“I know! I’m just excited to be going to M-E-X-I-C-O!” I smiled as I swallowed the butterflies.
Fast forward two days into the trip and the entire group decided it would be fun to rent a catamaran to take a day trip to Isla Mujeres. This drowsy island off the Yucatan’s coast is easy to get to if you are in the right hands. We had a staff of two; one captain and one who served us drinks. The most impressive part of this team was the toothless man who spoke in grunts didn’t spill a drop as the boat moved along with the waves. He just smiled and swayed with nature.
The day was literally perfect. Singing palm trees were decorated with local hammocks, letting us know it was okay to be lazy. We shopped, ate, drank and ate some more. Our toothless guides finally rounded up our group and, pointing, let us know it was time to go.
We decided to end the day as we had begun with our entire group sitting around the resort pool; orange, purple and pink sunset hues infiltrating the horizon and playing tricks on the water. My boyfriend could have decided to logically plan and think about our relationship once we got back to the states. Maybe it was the lingering amazingness of the day, maybe it was my constant hinting or maybe it was just the tequila, but with water up to his neck he bent down on one knee in the pool, opened a twinkling red box and asked me to marry him. In throwing my arms around him, exclaiming, “Yes!” I knew I could never forget the day that travel changed my life forever.