The Moment

In May 2008 I went on a business trip to Tokyo, Japan. Young had never been so she came along. We arrived around 4:30pm and as some of you might know, the Narita airport situates 36 miles from Tokyo center and when you take the limousine-bus, in the rush hour, it may takes up to 2 hours because of the traffic jam. When we arrive at Cerulean Tower hotel in Shibuya, it was already 7pm.

Feeling tired but energize due to the 18hrs all together traveling, we almost ordered the room service. Of course I cannot let that happen! I have a grand scheme to pull off! I persuade Young to go to a Sushi restaurant around the hotel and we arrive at the “Scramble” Shibuya Crossing- the busiest crosswalk in the world. In average there are 3000 pedestrian crossing the intersection in the 40 seconds of green light each time.

While we were waiting for the light, my heart was pounding so hard it seems like it is going to come out from my mouth. When it turns green and everybody started walking I feel this strongest adrenaline rush ever. I took her hand, walked towards the center of the scramble, kneeled down and pop the Tiffany ring. Here’s what I ask her:

“There are 6 billions people in the world, and we are at the busiest intersection in the world. I am very lucky that our lives crosspath with each other. Will you marry me and make me the happiest person in the whole entire world? You only have 10 seconds to decide the rest of your life.”

The 10 seconds is really no joke cause the whole act took up 30 secs already and we really only have 10 secs left! When Young say “YES!” we both burst into joyful tears and start kissing and the green light starts blinking and all of a sudden all the traffic comes toward us and we have to ran back to the sidewalk.

Young told me when I was kneeling down my whole body was shaking. My experience is there are so many people walking around us but I really don’t feel them because we were so deep in that world that only us two exist. All the pedestrians are like winds and light shadows and it was so quiet while the whole thing is happening.

After almost got run over at the busiest cross-walks in the world we randomly go to a super tiny bar in Nonbeiyoko-cho (Drunkards alley) to celebrate and bought everybody a round of drinks- all together 6 people including the bartender and us. We met some crazy Japanese fashion design and he returns the favor several times. Needless to say, the next morning we were pretty hung-over.

We are officially engaged on May 16th, 2008 and from that day on I am the happiest man on earth!

Kenneth

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