Moonstruck!

Dear Family & Friends,

I live in a historic neighborhood, named Los Robles, in a 64-year old home.  I want to share with you the story of  two secret marriage proposals that took place in our neighborhood:  one in my own home [2010]  and one in the Los Robles Park [2011].  Here is the story of the first event [below].  I’ll post the second story soon!

Moonstruck

 “. . . When the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that’s amore . . . When your eyes start to shine, like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amore. . . ”

Did you happen to see the gorgeous full moon on the evening of Friday, February 26, 2010?  It was this Bella Luna that illuminated Cristobal Court in Los Robles on that night, as it peeked into the wrap-around windows of our “Garden Room” – the room that faces Cristobal Court and sits under our Southern grandiflora magnolia tree.

On that enchanted evening, we transformed our “Garden Room” into “Bella Notte,” an Italian neighborhood bistro.  Now, you may ask:  What was the purpose of this transformation?  Answer:  To provide a romantic setting for our two young college friends, Thomas & Kellie.  You see, Thomas wanted to surprise Kellie with a quiet, intimate supper and a proposal of marriage.  And where, from among all the possible venues, did Thomas choose for the setting of this momentous occasion?  Our charming neighborhood, of course!

Our back door neighbors, Bill & Kristy Davis, secretly worked behind the scenes and helped to enhance the magic of La Luna, by employing the strands of small globe garden lights, installed high up in the branches of their oak tree,  which shades our mutual garden wall.  Imagine the surprise and delight of Thomas & Kellie when, as if on cue, those garden lights turned on and softly illuminated our Garden Wall, Courtyard and “Garden Room” below!

We, in Los Robles, appreciate the historic beauty of our neighborhood and we have witnessed many weddings under the ancient oaks in the Los Robles Park.  And now we have the distinction of hosting an engagement!

Are you wondering how the evening turned out?  Take one look at the image of the starry-eyed couple and draw your own conclusion!

 “. . . This is the night, what a beautiful night, and we call it Bella Notte . . . Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes, on this lovely Bella Notte . . .”

 ~~~Margot Blair Payne, 2010