Briana Pobiner and Peter Nassar
Engagement date: August 5, 2008
Wedding date: May 17, 2009
We were on holiday on the island of Lamu, in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Kenya (where Briana does archaeology work in the summers). Lamu is this sleepy little island with just two towns and no cars — the predominant mode of travel is by donkey!
The first night we dined at a local villager’s, with an intimate feel — but someone-else’s-dining-room intimacy. No go, even though it was Briana’s birthday. The second night we ate at a small restaurant, and a storm caused the entire island to lose power for the evening. We walked home by flashlight. Another opportunity lost!
The third night we dined at our B&B; it was by far the best meal we’d eaten yet on the island. A beautiful sunset overlooked the bay. I thought I’d better act now — everything was in my favor.
The hardest part was hiding the ring. The locals wear colorful sarongs called kikoys; I was wearing one that night, and they don’t have pockets. What to do? I tucked the ring box between the kikoy and my hip, which required me to walk in such a way to ensure that it wouldn’t fall out when I moved. Briana must have wondered why I’d suddenly acquired such an odd limp.
After finishing my coconut-and-mango ice cream, I got up, walked / limped over to her side of the table, got down on one knee, took her hand, pulled out the ring, and asked her to marry me!