Sweet baby jesus help me, I just joined TheKnot.com. I have officially sold my soul to the wedding industrial complex. But I need a budgeting tool, man!
Let me back it up here – this past Sunday, our 8th anniversary, Mike proposed! He got up early but had me stay in bed while he puttered around, then told me to bundle up and head out to the garden. There were flowers and champagne, and he sang me “Halo” and played guitar and I cried a little. Then he got down on one knee and proposed and I cried a lot and said Yes. Then we hugged and agreed that while we’re not super keen on marriage, we are super keen on each other, so let’s just go for it.
I am going to include two pictures of the ring in this post, because I am just as obsessed with it as any gal who doesn’t really give a hoot about diamonds can be. It was made in the 1700s, in Georgian England, and the center diamond is from the 1600s. The band has forget me nots framing the diamonds, and the whole thing is just stinking perfect.
Later on what shall henceforth be known as Engagement Day we went to Land’s End for sunset. We strolled out to the promontory in a chilly wind, but the clear sky made for a stunning sunset. We stood by the rock mandala watching the sun disappear. A pod of dolphins swam by, leaping out of the water.
The whole day was a little bit of an out-of-body experience, but it also felt very natural. What feels very unnatural is saying “fiance”; we’re practicing. “Yes,” I told the insurance guy who called yesterday, “Do put Mike on my plan, as he is my FIANCE.” Wait for two beats, then, “Yes, it IS exciting, thank you.”
I’m really enjoying this ritual of announcing. Whether everyone who says they’re excited for us isn’t guaranteed, but what gets me every time is how nice it is to be able to give good news, to represent something unspoiled and new. To be engaged is to be full of hope, and to give others hope, and everyone around us seems to be rippling in it like heat from a fire. Let’s dance, folks.
