Chopped

I was a local food reviewer located in the small town of Winston Salem, NC.  I reviewed all kinds of places to eat.  My favorite however, were barbecue restaurants.  North Carolina is home to the best barbecue in the world..chopped barbecue.  Coated in mayonnaise slaw, chopped pork shoulder and some dip was the best thing in the world to me.  My favorite places was Mr. Barbecue, off of Silas Creek Parkway.  I went there so frequently they always knew what I wanted.  They used oak wood in their smoke pit, something that was a nice touch ever since they began.  The waittresses were always nice, but there was always one who was extra nice.  Her name was Stephanie, and she was auburn curly hair, a beautiful figure, and a smile that would melt Dr. Doom's face off.  She had the whitest teeth, full lips, and small dimples on her smile.  She was 21 years old, I learned, from our talks at night.  It was usually dead around eight o' clock, and we would sit in the corner booth and talk.  I hadn't ever had a girlfriend when I was in school, and she made me really nervous.  Being a food reviewer I moved around a lot, here and there working jobs at restaurants to keep my rent alive.  I drove a terrible 97 Corolla, the carpet upon the roof was falling down, and my hair would be static after a ride through town.  She always called me Fro, because my hair would be standing up.  I hated my name, so I didn't care if she called me this.  It was better.
Weeks passed along, and as we talked more and more we became closer.  I thought about her every day and when we weren't together I got depressed. 
It was sometime in May when I drove by, I had a special gift.  I had went to Helzberg Diamons at Hanes Mall the night before, bought a simple diamond ring.  And by simple, I mean barely a ring.  I knew she probably wouldn't be impressed, but I loved her and it felt right.  We had been talking for years, and gone on a few dates.
I walked in, the smell of that barbecue making my mouth salivate.  She was already waiting in our booth, with my tray of food waiting.  I was so nervous.  I walked over to her and gave her a hug.  She sat down, and I kneeled.  She began crying, and I was confused.  Everything went through my mind, she didn't want me, I was a freak, what have you.  I pulled out the little box, with that tiny little ring, and popped it out.
"Stephanie," I asked.  My legs were rubber and I felt nauseous, I was going to pass out.  "You are the sunshine that makes flowers grow. You make me feel like I only matter when I'm with you.  Will you make me eternally happy?"
Time slowed down.  Tears strolled down her face, and I began crying too.  I knew the answer.
"Scott...you are the light that points me forward.  I would gladly marry you, with all my grace and beauty."
I was sobbing now.  Everything was fine.  Everything, was good.
I took her hand and walked her outside.  Stephanie was blind at birth, and I wish she could have seen my happiness.  She put her hands on my face, the tears soaking her hands.