The Engagement: Part 1

COME IN, GRAB A SEAT AND GET COMFY because I have a love story to share. And it’s not just any love story, it’s my love story. Over the next few days, I’ll be writing the chronicle of my relationship, including parts of the story that you haven’t heard or seen before. But because I know you are like me and you want the meat of the story, I’ll give you one gift first.

I’ll start with the engagement story.

Don’t mind that it’s in first person. Or third person. Or whatever person. It’s my story, and I’m writing it how it happened, which was perfect, beautiful, and flawless…Enjoy!

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In so many ways, Saturday was just like any other Saturday. I woke up early and a bit disgruntled, still sore from playing racquetball with some coworkers the day before.  I rolled over and got a text from Kevin saying he was at breakfast with his dad, which meant I could take my time and drag my feet getting ready. He showed up right as I was curling my hair and complimented me that it was the best I’d ever done it. I didn’t agree, but I thanked him anyway.

We had free tickets to go to a Home and Garden Expo – my idea. I was trying to show him that I could handle talking about marriage and houses and car payments and all those other scary things that come with such a huge commitment. He mentioned something about needing a new shirt afterwards and so we headed over to the mall. That should have been my first clue: he wouldn’t tell me exactly what he needed a new shirt for.

“Is it for your friend’s wedding reception tonight?” I asked.

He was thoughtful for a minute, “No, but that’s a good reason too.”

“Is it for work?” I puzzled.

“Yea that’ll be good to have some for work.” He agreed, and I let it drop. We walked further into the mall and I asked him about an empty store that had gone out of business. It had been a jewelry store. I didn’t feel bad bringing it up, it wasn’t like I was hinting or anything. We’d talked about it before, a lot actually. We knew that we wanted to get married and we’d been ring shopping – but I’ll save those stories for other posts.

He mentioned a Schubach Jewelers banner that had a four-diamond solitaire on the front.

“Oh look! There’s one of those four diamond rings. Wasn’t that one your favorite?” He motioned to the ad with his hand as we walked past.

“Um no. That was probably my least favorite. Don’t you remember which one was my favorite?” I looked at him questioningly. Clearly he should know…he should remember.

“Oh the Fred Meyer one?” He turned into the American Eagle store and started browsing the shirts.

“No. It’s the Wilson Diamonds one…You remember, don’t you?” I was frantic as I dug out my phone from my purse, flipping open to the photo of the ring on my finger. “THIS one. It was THIS one that was my favorite.” He gave a hmmph noise and walked further away, returning with a blue and white striped shirt that got my approval.

Continue to Part 2