An Engagement Story

I had decided that after dating Casey for six years this May it was time we moved to the next step. I did what any normal man would do and tricked Casey into a jewelry store to find out what kind of ring to buy and what the correct size would be. This was not an easy task, but with some help from my friend Melanie, and under the disguise of Pearl Necklace shopping, we got the deed done.

I bought the perfect ring for Casey and had been holding onto it for about 4 weeks. My plan was to pop the question on our six year anniversary in a big memorable fashion, but the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to do something extravagant. I really wanted to just catch Casey off guard and have it be that much more of a surprise. I decided on Friday that Sunday, March 29th would be the day I would ask.

Sunday morning I awoke with the intention of asking first thing. Usually on Sunday mornings Casey is on the couch snuggled up in his California Raisin blanket watching political shows like "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." My idea was to surprise him during this perfectly mundane routine. However, I woke with the worst sore throat of my life (thank you Graduate School Colleagues) and I was worried I would not be able to make my big surprise happen. I decided to go back to bed and do it at a later time.

Two hours later, my throat still sore but a lot less swollen, I got up and brushed my teeth (you can't have morning breath when you propose) put on clothes (you can't be naked either) and stuck the ring box in my pocket. I went to the couch where Casey had fallen back asleep watching his "shows," and nudged him awake.

"Hey, move over. I want to lay with you." I said sweetly.

"NO! Go to the other couch." Casey responded.

"No, c'mon, I want to lay with you?" I whined.

"NO! Leave me alone. Go over there!"

It is super funny when you hear this part of the story, but I knew this would happen. It was my plan all along actually. You see, Casey is a brat, and I knew there there would be no sharing of the "sweet spot."

I said, "Fine, I'm just going to lay on you then."

I lay down with the ring box positioned to dig into Casey's leg.

"Ow, ow ow! What the hell is in your pocket?" Casey cried out!

"What? Oh, this?" I responded, while pulling out the ring box.

Sitting up, Casey looked at the box nervously and then shoved me in the chest and shouted "Shut up!" just like Elaine on Seinfeld. Casey then asked, "What is that?"

"Open it." I replied.

"Are you serious?" Casey asks once the box is opened.

"Will you marry me?" I counter.

"Are you serious?" Casey questions again?

"Absolutely. Of course I am." I say.

"Yes." Casey says, as if the question didn't even need to be asked.

This was followed up by trying on the ring, a kiss, and then a few more "Are you serious-es?" and some "What does this mean-s?" and then another kiss.

SO...We're engaged. The surprise went perfectly. I am lucky to have someone who loves me unconditionally. The date is sometime May 2010.