Bringing Up Bates"The Maine Event"
- Carlin, Evan, Gil, Kelly, and Evan’s parents (Paul and Denese Stewart) arrive in Portland, Maine, for the big proposal weekend. Their first order of business is picking up lobster at Portland Lobster Co. Evan is eager to try a lobster roll, but Carlin orders a cheeseburger. Evan holds a live lobster and convinces Carlin to touch it.
- Carlin and Evan rent bikes and leave their parents behind. “Alright Evan,” says Kelly. “See all these people? That’s going to be your chaperone for now. That’s your chaperone for now until we catch up.” Carlin says they have God as their chaperone.
- The lovebirds take a trail along the water but end up getting lost. “You know what?” jokes Gil. “They may have run off without us. That could be bad.” They finally make it to the picnic spot where the parents are waiting, and they all eat their lunch. Carlin tries a piece of lobster but doesn’t love it.
- After the picnic, Evan asks Carlin if she has a fancy outfit to put on for the activities he has planned for the evening. At this point, Carlin knows that the engagement is just hours away.
- The group goes back to their rental house to change. Kelly, Gil, and Evan’s mom arrive at Portland Head Lighthouse 30 minutes early to set up flowers and a table. Back at the house, a chauffeured limo picks up Carlin and Evan and drops them off at the lighthouse.
- “I don’t think anyone realizes the blind faith I have going into this,” admits Evan. “Even Carlin, I don’t think she realizes it. She thinks everything’s just perfectly under control, and I’m here sweating under my suit coat. I’m looking for my parents, her parents. I’m not even sure where they set up.”
- When the couple makes it to the proposal site, the cellist starts playing. Evan reads a poem that he wrote called “My One:”
- “I could list a million reasons why you’re the one for me and a million reasons more why I love you tenderly. From your hair to your smile to your heart that’s made of gold, I love every part of you with a love that won’t grow old…I need you in my life cause you’re the very air I breathe…I thank my God above that I’m as blessed as a man could be cause out of every guy on earth, He made you just for me. Now as I’m standing here with my love so strong and true, I have a special question I’ve been meaning to ask you. It’s just five simple words, but they’re filled with much romance. So Carlin Brianne Bates, may I have this dance?”
- At that point, Carlin is smiling, laughing, and crying as she says, “I don’t know how to dance!” But they pull it off.
- After their dance, Evan says, “I love you so much. You’re my best friend, you’re my girlfriend, and I hope you’ll be my fiancée.” He gets down on one knee and asks the big question: “So Carlin Brianne Bates, will you marry me?”
- And of course, she says yes! They embrace, and he puts the ring on her finger. After a few moments, they call the parents over for hugs. “There were a lot of tears, a lot of tears on both sides,” says Kelly. The sun is setting, so the lighting is perfect for photos.
- “We love Carlin,” says Denese. “I think she fits perfectly with our family.”
- “We’re not just gaining a daughter,” laughs Paul. “We’re gaining about 40 people.”