The Ring

Although it was my birthday, it did not feel like it. I just did not have that “birthday feeling.” That special wave of excitement when you wake-up and realize today is your special day. Maybe it was because I had to work. Maybe it was because I was 31. In any case, the day started as any other.

As I was leaving for work, I went into the office to kiss my beloved boyfriend goodbye . At which point, he voices the thought that maybe he should come with me so he could then have the car for the day. Reason being, he had yet to get me a gift. (I love my Jeff for many many things, including his great sense of spontaneity which, over the years, has usurped any ability of advance planning.)

On the drive into work Jeff asks, “So, what do you want for your birthday?”

“You know what I want,” I said with a sly smile alluding to the $350K house I saw for sale in Framingham and distinctly pointed out to him on Zillow two days prior.

He laughed and asked “Is there anything in Mall I can get you?”

I thought for a moment then said, “Well, yes, they do have jewelry stores in the Mall.”

“I’m not very good at picking out jewelry.”

“Oh Honey, there’s only one piece I want, “ I said in a way that we both knew I was kidding. (After all, who buys an engagement ring casually in a mall?)

And so Jeff dropped me off at work and went shopping. At 6 p.m he picked me up from work. As I got into the car he says, “I wasn’t able to get us a reservation. I waited too long. It was on my to-do list today, but just not high enough. But the girl at Il Capricio said we could eat at the bar; it’ll only be a 30 - 40 minute wait.”

At this point I was a little annoyed. I didn’t mind that he didn’t have a gift for me the moment I opened my eyes. It’s not like I need more stuff. And I didn’t even mind that he wait till Saturday to make the reservation? But that he waited till most likely 5-ish to do so . . .

So there I was tired, hungry, and a little annoyed. We discussed a few alternative to his suggestion then just decided to head to Moody Street and see what hit my fancy. On the way there, however, he turns into our apartment complex. Being hungry I ask, “Why are we going home?”

“I need to get my sweater.”

My tummy and mood begin to grumble.

As we walk into the apartment I notice a wrapped birthday gift on the bookshelf. “Is this for me?” I asked with a big smile on my face.

“Yep.”

“Can I open it now?”

The answer was affirmative and I proceeded to examine the wrapped box to surmise its contents. It was too light to be a book I figured, but I didn’t give it much more thought than that. Who wants to stand around thinking about a gift? . . . . I ripped off the wrapping paper and there it was: a box set; four DVD’s of . . . . . . . . . . . .America by Rail !!!!!!!!!!!! (Which is exactly what you think it is: a train enthusiast pointing a camera out the window.)

I thanked Jeff for the gift and said it was great. He then proceeded to bring up a web page for me to look at. On the ride home he mentioned the “Princess Leah “ ring he saw on the net and want to know if I liked it. As I am staring at a picture of a copper ring with two copper swirls similar to Princess Leah’s hairdo in Episode IV “A New Hope,” I am concentrating hard on finding something nice to say.

“Yeah, that’s kinda cute,” I manage, while still staring at the screen.

“Well would you like it? . . . . Or would you rather have THIS ring?”

And there he stood with a small black velvet box containing the diamond ring I picked out nearly a year ago and had almost given up all hope of ever receiving. I proceeded to go into hysterics of laughter and crying as nearly tore the ring from the box and shoved it on my finger. I was overwhelmed with joy and couldn’t stop laughing and crying.

At some point during this we simultaneously spoke:
“Will you marry me?”
“So does this me you . . .”

Then I said “Yes!” half a dozen times and then there were kisses and laughter and tears of joy. We then went to eat and all was beautiful and fabulous.

The Beginning