Daily Joke: The Woman Who Forgot Who Proposed to Her

In the sunny, palm-tree-lined “Sunset Palms” mobile home park in Florida, lived two elderly neighbors: Arthur, a widower with a charming smile and a forgetful mind, and Martha, a widow with a sharp wit and an equally slippery memory. They had known each other for years, sharing potlucks, bingo nights, and complaints about the humidity.

One crisp Tuesday evening, the community held its monthly supper in the big activity center. The air smelled of fried chicken and nostalgia. Arthur and Martha found themselves seated at the same table, directly across from one another. As the meal progressed, Arthur noticed how lovely Martha looked in her floral dress. He felt a sudden surge of courage. Perhaps it was the sweet tea, or perhaps it was just the right moment.

He cleared his throat, leaned forward, and asked, “Martha, will you marry me?”

Martha paused. She looked at him, then at her plate, then back at him. After precisely six seconds of intense, dramatic consideration, she smiled warmly and said, “Yes. Yes, I will.”

Arthur beamed. The rest of the meal was filled with pleasant chatter and shy glances. They parted ways that night feeling like teenagers again.

But the next morning, Arthur woke up with a sinking feeling. He sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his temples. Did she say yes? Or did she say no? He tried to replay the scene in his head, but it was like trying to catch smoke. The details were gone. Not even a faint memory remained. Was he engaged? Or had he just embarrassed himself in front of the whole neighborhood?

With trepidation, he shuffled over to his rotary phone and dialed Martha’s number. When she answered, he explained gently, “Martha, my dear, you know my memory isn’t what it used to be. I’m having a bit of trouble recalling last night.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Arthur,” she said kindly.

He reviewed the lovely evening, the fried chicken, the nice conversation. Then, gathering every ounce of courage he had left, he asked the question that had been keeping him awake all night: “When I asked if you would marry me… did you say ‘Yes’ or did you say ‘No’?”

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then, Martha’s voice came through, bright and cheerful. “Why, Arthur, I said, ‘Yes, yes I will!’

And I meant it with all my heart!”

Arthur let out a huge sigh of relief, his shoulders dropping. “Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried I’d imagined it.”

Martha chuckled softly. “And I am so glad that you called, Arthur. Because I couldn’t remember who had asked me.”