Part 4 of my Mush-fest

I told Paul from early on that I didn't want my engagement ring on any holiday. I wanted it on it's own day. We went ring shopping in August, but needed to save our money to buy them. We had a friend, at the time, that made rings. We decided to pick what we liked and have him make them special for us. I knew that Paul had talked to him and we'd shown him what we wanted. I just didn't know when he bought it or got it.

We had our friend fix a ring for me that had broken right before Valentine's Day. I planned our date on Valentine's Day that year. One of Paul's favorite restaraunts is Monical's. What he didn't know was that there was one in a different town that what we usually went to. So, he picked me up and I told him the way and surprised him by going there for dinner. Afterward, we drove around and ended up at my parents' house. He gave me a card (and flowers) that had my ring taped in it that said, "Soon will be the real thing". Little did I know...

The next day (Feb 15) he told me he was going to pick me up and we were going to go get lunch and go somewhere. So, we picked up Taco Bell and went out to a local state park that we frequented. We pulled over in a little parking area to eat our lunch and watch the fishermen out on the little pond. He suggested we get out and so we did. We often did this, so it wasn't really on my mind that he might propose. He grabbed my hand and got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I remember that he was so nervous. I remember just being so excited. I didn't even look at the ring, I was too busy hugging and kissing him. Finally, I stopped to look at the ring. I loved it. It was/is perfect to me. It was just what I wanted. Then we were off to tell everyone.

We went to his mom's first because she didn't know anything about it. She was happy for us. Then we had to go to the dress shop to see my mom's dress for the wedding. I didn't tell her, I just put my hand up on the counter top. She literally screamed. The lady behind the countertop about had a heart attack. It was the best reaction we got. After we told the rest of the family, we went and bought roses and cards. We went around to each prospective bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid and gave them each a rose and the card told them we'd be honored if they'd be in our wedding. It was so much fun to do it that way.