My Boyfriend Planned a Romantic Dinner and Proposed on Valentine's Day, but I Was Done with Him

Umma told Brandon she couldn't do Valentine's Day this year and he responded with a romantic dinner and a proposal. But that was too little, too late.

Four years. That's how long I'd been with Brandon. Four years of "just dating," four years of watching other women get engaged, four years of feeling like I was perpetually on the sidelines of my own life.

We'd started out so well, both of us in our almost 30s and wanting the same things: marriage, kids, and a house with a dog. But somewhere along the line, our paths diverged. We were almost 40, and he seemed content with the status quo.

Meanwhile, I felt this gnawing emptiness and this fear that I'd always be "just his girlfriend."

Valentine's Day was looming, and the thought of it made my stomach churn, especially because every time I scrolled through Instagram, I saw another engagement announcement flashing across the screen.

So, finally, one night, a couple of days before February 14, I told him what I had decided over our regular dinner of boxed mac and cheese. "I just can't do Valentine's Day this year," I said, totally serious. "We don't do much either way, so let's just skip it this year."

"Wait," he said, frowning. "Are you sure? You love it."

"I did," I nodded. "But it doesn't matter anymore."

I didn't speak another word while I finished eating, but Brandon looked concerned. When I was done, I stood, cleaned my plate, and turned to him for a second. "Really, I'm serious. Valentine's is canceled," I insisted before leaving the kitchen.

Somehow, he took in my words in the opposite way. The next day, he told me he had decided to plan a romantic dinner at home.

He went all out, even consulting my best friend, Sarah, about what I might like. Sarah already knew how I felt and tried to steer him toward addressing the real issue, which was simply that after four years and no engagement, I felt he didn't want to commit to me anymore.

Well, actually, after all that time, I wasn't sure I wanted anything anymore. But Brandon went on with his plans, and on the night of February 14, I arrived home to a candlelight romantic dinner. He must have hired someone to decorate our kitchen because it was too beautiful.

A year earlier, this would've been perfect. But that day, I didn't even enjoy the scent of the catered food he had ordered. Still, I sat at the perfectly set table. He complimented my dress, and I managed a polite "thank you," but my heart wasn't in it.

Then, he told me about his promotion at work. He was so excited, and I congratulated him.

"So, now, that I've achieved this, and you've helped me through it," Brandon continued. "I think it's the right time for this…"

With those words, he stood and got down on one knee. He held out a ring box and opened it to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring.

"No," I said without hesitation.

"What?" he flinched back. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

"I wanted you to want it, Brandon," I said in a deadpan voice.

"I want it," he said, but his eyebrows pulled down.

"No, you don't," I shook my head. "So, this is just a shut-up ring. It's not what I want, and I'm not sure I want to keep seeing you either."

"Now, wait a minute, Umma," he stood, closing the ring box and putting it back in his pocket. "Let's talk about this. Our relationship is perfect."

"Perfect because I gave you the milk for free."

"Huh?"

"You know that saying…" I waved my hand dismissively. "Anyway, I know you. If I'd said yes, you would've found a way to postpone our wedding. You would've mentioned wanting another promotion, saving more money, or buying a house first."

"No, I–"

"But if that's not the case, the fact is that I'm just done, Brandon," I said. "I guess that's why I wanted us to avoid Valentine's, so I could gather my thoughts. But you didn't let me do that. Now, I've decided: it's over."

He begged me not to do this as I stood and went to our room. He got on his knees while I packed a bag. He tried to force the ring on my finger as I tried to walk through our hallway, and he finally switched tactics when I was out the door.

"No one is gonna want you now!" he spat. "You're used up and worthless!"

"Nice," I sighed as I got into my car.

The next thing I heard was a small click, and my gaze landed on the new tiny chink in my windshield. He had thrown the ring at my car.

With that, I drove away, and that was the last time I saw Brandon.

And just so you know, I got married to the love of my life less than two years later. The man who loves you truly won't make you guess or wait.

Here's another story: When I went back through my old messages with Peter, the boy I thought I would spend my life with, I saw a pattern I had been too blind to acknowledge. And after what I heard on my balcony after game night, I knew I couldn’t marry him.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided "as is," and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.