I came upon this scene while she was posing next to new graffiti which I had not yet read. She's turned toward a young man taking snapshots. I got just this one shot of her, almost out of instinct, before they left. So I'm not positive she is the "Jen" in the marriage proposal on the Cadillac roof.

The photo violates a basic rule of composition: the center of interest is at the extreme left, the proposal and, of course, the radiant and beautiful "Jen."

But there are other factors in defense of this photo. The first Cadillac has for many years had a cut in its roof that now, in this new context, resembles the bottom end of a heart.

And the nine other cars buried here are now almost like past relationships that have been discarded.

Jen's suitor, invisible to us, is from the evidence a very confident guy. His message from the Cadillac rooftop is as much a proclamation as a proposal.

His public offer to Jen appears to have been done in two parts. The last line was either left off entirely or filled in except for the last word. Fortunately for him, she said YES.

(This image is on display at the Route 66 Interpretive Center, Chandler OK.)