  |
| Our Engagement Photos Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT |
One of the best things about the holiday season is you have an opportunity to reflect upon your life. My DW recently brought up the “engagement story” which took place 6 years ago this weekend. My wife already wrote about how we met, so here’s my version of how we got engaged:
We had been dating for two years…it was getting to the point where the “big decision” needed to be made (after all, how much longer could I keep driving 40 minutes one way to visit her!?). I wanted to surprise Julie so I slyly approached her father, and not only did I ask for her hand in marriage…but everything else attached to that hand! I remember his long pause…an uncomfortably long pause… before he said yes and welcomed me to the family.
Next step: the proposal. Ring…check. Girl…check. Dinner plans…check. It was the big week. Picking up the ring and a date with destiny – Friday night! It had to be Friday before Thanksgiving, because she was going away for a WEEK to visit family, and I wanted her to share the news with everyone.
Suddenly, a wrench in the plans! I asked Julie to go to dinner Friday and was stunned to hear her say, “Oh I meant to tell you… I already made plans for us to go out with Tim & Gina for dinner. Won’t that be fun!” Sure…but I wanted to… oh, never mind. I’d have to work around this little glitch.
Suddenly, a wrench in the plans! I asked Julie to go to dinner Friday and was stunned to hear her say, “Oh I meant to tell you… I already made plans for us to go out with Tim & Gina for dinner. Won’t that be fun!” Sure…but I wanted to… oh, never mind. I’d have to work around this little glitch.SO…the big night arrived. I planned on meeting Julie at my house after work, supposedly so we could drive to the restaurant together, but really so I could squeeze in the proposal before meeting our friends. A night that will live in infamy.
I envisioned a simple and romantic proposal. I turn the corner into the living room…I see Julie on the couch…mummified in a blanket…with a two foot pile of tissues next to her…and then I heard it…an ominous yet familiar sound. hhhhooooochhoooooo…..hhhoooooochhooooo. Was that….Darth Vader? (Yes, the Star Wars references go WAY back for us!)
No, it was my DW-to-be. She had come down with something…head clogged with mucus…a little red nose…and Darth Vader breathing. What just flew out the window? That was romance…now for damage control. I nestled up on the floor next to the couch and tried to comfort her a bit.
I’m thinking: I am proposing to Darth Vader…First, I need to check her state of mind. This is an important question. Will she be able to make a clear-headed decision? I peppered her with “Can you make a decision tonight?”-like questions. She seemed puzzled, so I added, “You know, there are a lot of choices on the menu.” Darth Wife got a little annoyed…”of course, I can make a decision“… and at that moment I popped out the platinum solitaire diamond ring..and said, “Well, will you marry me?”
THAT cured her ailments!! It was fun to see her react. At first she could not believe it…is this real?…really?…are you serious? oh my goodness! …she kept repeating over and over, tears of joy flowing…and mucus. She never really said “YES!” When all the hoopla settled down, I was like…”You never said yes.” So I asked again and got the yes I was looking for.
Romance had to be cut short, because, after all, DW-to-be already made dinner plans for us… but we enjoyed sharing the news with our friends over dinner.
This Day in History, 2004.
Do you have an engagement or other funny relationship story to share?
Crunchy Beach Mama
Wednesday 24th of November 2010
Great story and made me giggle :)I was living at home and we used to hang out there all the time and before Hubby left every night he would tuck me in. So one night he pulled out the ring and proposed. (it wasn't a complete surprise. I knew it was coming soon :) So I went and woke up my whole family!
T Rex Mom
Sunday 21st of November 2010
Awesome! Thank you for the back story!Love the DW reference.I knew my hubby was going to propose but I just did not know when. Of course, he picked the most unexpected dinner outing. I wasn't even dressed up. And then I did not actually say "yes" until the next day because I had been working on my response - I wanted to give a very special response to his question. But, to keep him from hanging I said, "Yes - unofficially". Then the next day I offered my "official answer".