engagement story...

I have never been more surprised in my life than on October 23. Tuesday evening, I walked in the door and Ed had a present for me. He is always doing something sweet, and he likes to surprise me with presents, so I didn't suspect anything out of the ordinary.

I opened the gift - it was a round trinket box with a pair of earrings inside. I take the earrings out of the box, and underneath them is something that looks like a ring. A ring?? What's going on, I wonder? He grabs the ring, gets on his knee, and with tears in each eye, he asks me to marry him. My Eddie, with his hands shaking, holding a ring, and all I say is, "Are you serious?!?!" It doesn't seem real, my heart is pounding and I'm in shock. Then I say, "of course I'll marry you!" and we hug. Oh yeah, there's a ring on my finger, I'd better look at it. Wow, it's sparkly. I like it. Then I ask him how he pulled this whole thing off without me having any idea...

His parents gave him a diamond that his great uncle Al had left to their family when he passed away. What a special gift for which I am so very thankful. Ed took the diamond to a jeweler and told him exactly what he wanted, and the jeweler drew it, carved it from wax, made the mold, and created this perfect ring. Ed had been working on this since June, so when the ring was finally ready, he couldn't wait to give it to me and he proposed that very day. I love this man more than I can describe here in words. He exceeds my every dream. He is my perfect partner, and now he has asked me to be his wife!

Our plans are coming together nicely, and although our lives have instantly become twice as busy, we are enjoying the planning process. Our wedding day will be May 3, 2008, and we can't wait for the day to arrive!