|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
February 11, 2003 - "The De-Kathylon"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." ~Winnie the Pooh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LADIES! Give your sweetheart a Valentine gift he'll really love! Tuxedo chocolate-dipped strawberries are the perfect Valentine for him! GENTLEMEN! Give your sweetie a pampering gift that says she is appreciated with a spa gift certificate! See these and other fantastic Valentine gifts in our 2TheHeart boutique! www.2theheart.com/boutique
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I LOVED this story! Jon's stories always draw me because they are so unique and I love learning about his heritage and its traditions. Although, I'm not sure if the "De-Kathylon" is a Chinese or Japanese tradition.... Look for more love stories all week!
(PS - I laughed out loud when Kathy had to prove her intent!)
The "De-Kathylon"
by Jon Tun
After several months of planning, it had finally come down to this: Ten events strategically planned to test the resolve of one lucky participant. That person would have to withstand the rigorous tests of physical agility, intellect, and adaptability to win the most valuable of prizes - Me! Let me explain...
It was close to Valentine's Day, 1994 during a typical frigid day in Chicago. I had invited about twenty of my friends to participate in an elaborate scheme designed for my then girlfriend Kathy - hence the name "De-Kathy-lon". The events took place in a downtown mall called "North Pier", and Kathy had to pit herself against my friends in a variety of creative ways. Each time she successfully completed an event, she won a secret puzzle piece, and got a post-event "interview" (on camera) by one of my reporter-savvy friends.
"How do you think you did? What could you have done better?" She would ask Kathy after every event. From her "opponent" our reporter would ask "How worthy of an opponent was Kathy?" "What would you say was Kathy's strongest asset in this event?" I must say, my friends did quite an impressive job interviewing, videotaping, and photo-capturing all the events and emotions of the day.
In one event Kathy had to ask people in the mall whom I had planted beforehand for clue-riddles. Since the event was under a time limit, she had to race around the mall, finally finding the hidden puzzle piece in a stuffed animal shop in the mall. In another event she had to "battle" my friends in a virtual Mech-robot. She also had to shoot hoops, play darts, race virtual motorcycles, and stuff her face in a pizza-eating contest. She had nearly completed all the events when suddenly...
A bunch of hostile commandos, wearing sunglasses, trench coats, and berets surrounded her and said, "Are you Kathy Mui?" After responding with an inquisitive "Yes" she got whisked away to their getaway car in the caverns of the mall. Brandishing their lethal water guns, and conversing with thick European accents, they blindfolded Kathy and stuffed her in the car with them. Six men and a lady crammed into a coupe. "No talking!" they shouted harshly. Kathy paid them no heed - "Where are you guys taking me?" she retorted. "Quiet!" They snapped back, as they murmured directions amongst themselves.
Of course, these also were my buddies dressed up like secret agents and commandos. Their assignment was to take Kathy hostage so as to stall for time for me to set up the next part of the evening. Did I mention Kathy got "whisked away"? - Well, that was what was supposed to happen, but my friends decided to REALLY stall for time and marched poor Kathy blindfolded all over the place. I suppose it was because they were really getting into their "secret agent" gig. An agonizing 45 minutes later...
Kathy finally got released by the "agents" and transferred to a horse-drawn carriage where I was quietly and anxiously waiting (after all, the carriage was paid for by the hour). I allowed her to take off her blindfold so she could see where she was and that I was seated across from her. "Where are we?" she asked. I explained to her that the horse was taking us somewhere special and that she would have to wait. After a little time had passed, we got off the carriage at a place called "Olive Park" - a quiet peninsula on Lake Michigan. After walking hand in hand to a nice scenic park bench overlooking the Chicago skyline, I pulled out the puzzle pieces she had collected and we worked on putting the cardboard sign together. Assembling and taping it on the back, I noticed that one of the pieces had been lost in the process. I flipped it over to show her what it said anyway:
"Will _____ marry me Kathy!" She looked dumbfounded and speechless. I got down on my knee, pulled out my fifty carat lollipop ring, and proposed. She said, "Yes!" and we embraced. I was elated that she said, "yes", even though I had to use a candy ring; Chinese tradition required that the real ring be presented in a formal engagement party with both families present. Since the lollipop ring would have to suffice, I had her lick it as a sign of her intent.
For the rest of the evening we joined our friends and family at my parents' home for more group-type "Olympic" games, Chicago-style pizza, and warm fellowship. Needless to say, Kathy passed the "test" of the "DeKathylon", but it was I who actually won the best of prizes.
Jonathan Tun copyright 2002
jwtun@tva.gov
See a photo of this beautiful family (with adorable children now!) on our Writers of the Month page, where you can also read more of Jon's writing! www.2theheart.com/HeartWriters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ABBEY PRESS for Valentine's Day! I personally have found the CUTEST valentine gifts at Abbey Press and know you will too! Thousands of gifts to lift the heart are under $10 - shop now! http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-1110471
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Letter Box:
Hello Meg..........Guess you know that when you and David included the blessed creatures that live among us, you've got my attention. What a sweet story of the simple and yet, unforgetable time in his young life. As usual, you had me walking and talking with your every idea and happening during that special Valentine season. Thank God for Valentines Day just when we all need hugs and kisses between Christmas and Easter. Hugs...Kathe Campbell
Mary-Ellen,
What a dear memory. Thank you for sharing. Some of my sweet memories of special times with our three daughters is of watching them make Valentines for the kids at school. It was also fun to make May Baskets to deliver to many of our neighbors before leaving for school in the mornings on May 1st. A few flowers and candy kisses in each colorful basket. Leave the baskets on the porches, ring the doorbells and run like mad before they see you. Just like I did when I was little. Memories to treasure. Love, Pat Lowe
Dear 2TheHeart,
What a sweet story "Heart Cakes and Critter Cards" was! It reminded me to enjoy the times I have now with my children while they are young and to cherish the memories always. Love, Rose
2theheart,
What a brilliantly simple idea. Heart cakes and Critter cards! I like the thought of them spreading through the neighbourhood. Perhaps after this they'll spread even further - maybe to other countries. Then we can all have a warm glow as we think of each other making them. By such small means people and countries come together.
Margaret Drysdale
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
