Perfect Place To &quot;Pop the Question&quot; -1988

Title

Perfect Place To "Pop the Question" -1988

Description

In July of 1988, the Millenium was in the middle of it’s 12 year run as being known as the “Clarion Hotel”. The revolving restaurant on the 28th floor of the Clarion Hotel was called The Top of the Riverfront. It was famous for slowly rotating a full 360 degrees, offering diners panoramic views of the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, and the downtown St. Louis skyline.
Having met my “Girlfriend” years earlier, we made an annual trip to the VP (Veiled Prophet) Fair, the perfect summer date. Back then it was inexpensive and we could hang out all day. One year we literally “ran out of money”. This was before venders took credit. It did not dampen the day. Neither did the rain. Jody and I, along with 100s of other fun seekers, slid down the Arch Ground hills on pieces of cardboard, provided by the venders that used to set up all over the grounds. Summer time sledding! What fun.
The VP Fair was from Friday July 1st, through Monday July 4th in 1988. I had saved my money for this weekend. Jody’s birthday was Saturday July 2nd. I had purchased an engagement ring months before, and was anxiously waiting for our annual trip to the fair. I had made reservations at Top of the Riverfront restaurant (for 9pm) and did not tell Jody. She really enjoys fireworks and when I was stalling around for our reservation, she was getting nervous about not “finding a spot on the lawn” to enjoy the Fireworks show. I finally told her that for her Birthday present, we were going to eat at the Top of the Riverfront. I had timed it so that we got to see the fireworks show while we had our dinner. Near the finale, I excused myself to go to the Restroom where I attempted to remove the engagement ring from my shorts pocket. I had sewn it in my pocket because I didn’t want to lose it while we played at the fair all day. Imagine my frustration when I couldn’t get the ring out because I had sewn inside the pocket so well. I finally was able to “Bite through” the strings holding it in my pocket. I returned to the table, got down on one knee, and asked my lovely girlfriend to marry me… just as the fireworks finale was going off outside the windows of the Clarion. After almost 5 decades – we are still together and talk about the Clarion fondly! We will miss seeing Her as a symbol of where we committed to each other, almost 50 years ago!

Proposal at The Top of the Riverfront Restaurant, during the VP Fair Fireworks Finale on July 2nd, 1988.

Date

July 2, 1988

Contributor

Chris D.

Format

Photo