Nick and I had been planning for a few months for me to move with him after our graduation from Purdue to Mississippi while he attended pilot training for the Air Force. We knew if I stayed in Indiana, our relationship would suffer. Pilot training will probably be the most intense time of his entire career. Phone calls would be few and far between, much less actual visits.
In September, we loaded up our cars and headed out. I had hoped he would propose before we left, but he didn't. {Turns out he had been planning to, but the day before we left was far too busy!} A few days after we arrived and moved into our temporary home in the hotel, Nick got food poisoning and had me dig through his backpack for his dvd player power cord so he could lay in bed and watch movies. While searching, I found a small mailing box with a jewelry company's name on it. I freaked out silently, but put the box right where I found it without opening it.
Turns out it was good–really good. After keeping the ring in that backpack in our shared closet for nearly a month, Nick finally proposed. The suspense was killing me, but I never once took a peek!
When I got home one night, our house was dark and the front door was open. Nick had lit dozens of candles and put flowers everywhere. In the dining room, a video was playing on his computer. He made a slideshow of pictures of the two of us. I didn't think he knew I was in the house, so I kept yelling his name. Apparently that wasn't part of his plan. He came out from behind the hall door wearing a suit and tie. He came over to me and hugged me. His heart was pounding out his chest. Then got down on one knee and said, "I know nothing ever goes right, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I said yes, of course after bluntly saying, "The ring is so big!"
These photos do not do it justice. I always wanted an emerald cut solitaire, and Nick knocked this one out of the park.The ring is 1.5 carat and absolutely beautiful, no flaws at all. We looked at emerald cut diamonds a few times that year and the prices were absurd. After finding that out, I wasn't sure what Nick would choose. He didn't give up and found a jewelry store in his hometown that met his budget and my tastes!
We will purchase wedding bands together sometime soon. A post is forthcoming about the styles we like.
Besides telling Nick I preferred emerald cut diamonds, I wasn't involved with his selection of setting or actual stone. I'm curious, did you help select your engagement ring or did your fiance select the ring all on his own?
Photo © HaselBride.
Your ring is GORGEOUS! I loved that he picked it out himself, too...he has great taste!
I showed my fiance some pictures of stuff I did and didn't like just to give him an idea, but other than that, he chose it all on his own. He actually chose a heart-shaped stone, which was really unique!
Posted by: Ley | February 18, 2008 at 11:06 AM
My fiance picked my ring out without ANY help from me, and I loved it. His choice was breathtaking, and I loved that he put that much thought into my ring. I posted a picture on my blog on the link below.
http://knaphrodesiac.blogspot.com/2008/01/he-asked.html
Posted by: Karen | February 18, 2008 at 12:54 PM
What a rock! My husband chose my engagement/wedding ring all on his own too and I absolutely love it. I love too that he picked it out.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 18, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Hello.....Love your blog!
I am actually engaged too and I loved my ring when my "nick" proposed to me too! I loved a round diamond and we looked everywhere...and poor thing I changed my mind of style all the time! However one ring really stood out...and never in a million years would I think he would get it for me and then when he proposed there it was! I just love it more and more every day! I am looking forward to seeing more winter wedding post!!!
I am getting married in September and also plan weddings for a living! I enjoy planning other weddings than my own! So funny I relate it to giving advice! You can give your girlfriend the best advice in the world and you could be in the same situation and it is so hard to take your own advice! I feel that way in planning my own wedding...but it is still fun!!!
Good Luck to you and CONGRATS!
Happy Planning!
Kelly
A Savvy Event...
Posted by: Kelly Mcleskey | February 18, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Ley – I know! I am so proud of him because he once bought me the ugliest pair of shoes and at the time, I didn't have the heart to tell him so I wore them! He really does try to tune in with what I like. Love the idea of the heart-shaped diamond, how unique!
Karen – What a beautiful ring! I sometimes wonder what Nick would have picked without ANY input from me, but I'm so picky, I think he would have asked my opinion in some fashion. He knows me too well!
Elizabeth – Thanks!
Kelly – Thanks! How exciting that he chose the ring you truly loved! That's funny about the advice and so true... Good luck to you, too!
Posted by: Hasel Bride aka Allison | February 18, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Wow! I can't believe you were able to keep it together after seeing the box! There is no way I could have. I totally ruined my fiance's surprise proposal and ended up picking my own ring. I have no idea what he would have picked for me-I ended up picking something I didn't even know that I would like so I guess it ended up for the best. Your ring is awesome!
Posted by: Amy | March 30, 2008 at 11:58 AM