Runester

Well, today was one humdinger of a day. First, I had to get up and ready for my weekend with Lisa. Then I had to go to work, install an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) and reboot some servers, and test that everything was working. Then I had to find a jewelry store nearby – and I did, The Jewelry Exchange. Then I had to call my bank to get them to increase my credit limit. Then I went to the jewelry store and bought an engagement ring. Then I drove to Lisa’s where we had a late breakfast, and then went to Home Depot to buy 960 lbs of quickrete and eight (8) fence posts. We got everything back to her house just in time for me to drop off the materials, wash my hands, and then drive all the way back to the jewelry store.

The ring was ready and perfect! I picked it up, stopping to refuel my truck which I’d been driving back and forth across the state all day. Then I got back to Lisa’s. Since today was her birthday, she knew my sudden departure had to do with her birthday gift … and she may have suspected something, but she wasn’t sure. In her own words, “It was either a ring or a laptop!” I had already gotten us reservations for a very nice Italian restaurant in Dedham, MA named Isabella’s. So, I had to shower, shave, and dress – swapping my tee-shirt and quickrete covered jeans for a French Blue dress shirt and slacks. While getting dressed I slipped the ring into my pocket.

We arrive at the restaurant right at 6:00 PM, and it’s lovely. We get a quiet table over to the side and order appetizers. I keep wondering when I should propose … of all the research I did on this subject, this particular item seems to have been left out. I figured it would be good to bring the subject up … so I kept trying to have a serious conversation about marriage, marriages we knew about, and commitment. She kept interrupting with stories of how this restaurant used to be a little breakfast nook named “Mug and Muffin.” I must have looked a little yellow or something, she kept asking, “Are you all right? Is something the matter? You have an odd look on your face.”
Finally, sometime after the appetizer and before the main course came out, I said, “This is something I should have done five years ago … Will you marry me?” Lisa got all choked up and teary eyed but didn’t answer, so I pressed further, “Will you be my wife?” At which she croaked out a very quiet and emotional “yes.”

Then I added, “Well, here’s your consolation prize …” and reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring. It was still in it’s small black box. She took it and opened the box up and her eyes lit up.

“Oh, it’s just lovely!” she remarked.

And with that, I have become an engaged man. We finished our dinner, many women who were seated around us congratulated her and asked to see her ring. She was floating on cloud nine … I was mostly relieved that I had been able to get through the day and accomplish the most important part with at least a measure of acumen.

As soon as we got back to her place, she showed her mother the ring who was practically giddy with gladness. Marilyn embrassed me and declared, “My son!”

All in all, it’s been one hell of a day … with a wonderful, wonderful ending. And, a good beginning!