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ENGAGED!!!

// December 6th, 2008 // All, Personal

This week was a huge milestone in my life, as well as a wish-come-true for many friends of mine. This week was Malia’s birthday. And my birthday present to her was an engagement ring! She had been asking for some time when we were going to get engaged, and I kept assuring her that it was coming. But she did not expect me to ask her on her birthday.

The evening began with an early drive to meet her dad and ask him if I could marry his daughter. I know many fathers who say what they will do in that situation as a father, but I have gotten to know her dad, and I would have known early on if he had any issues with me. We met at a Starbucks near their house, and he grabbed his coffee and sat down with a smile, knowing the purpose of this meetup. I smiled, and said, “Well, I am sure you know why I am here…” To which he nodded and said, “I am very happy for you, and I have no problem with you marrying my daughter.” For the rest of our time, we just talked about work and other “guy” stuff.

Then I met Malia at her home, and she was finishing getting ready for our night out. Since it was her birthday, she got to pick where she wanted to go. We ended up at a Japanese steak house called Hibachi (much like Benihana) in Marysville. At one point in the meal, she asked me if I got her a card for her birthday. I said that I didn’t, but that I got her a gift. She said a kind of disappointing, “Oh.” BUt I didn’t say anything about it after that. We enjoyed a great meal and great entertainment by the cook. Meanwhile, this entire time, I am going over the plan in my mind… “After dinner, I am taking her to the fountain in downtown Yuba City…”

The dinner went without a hitch, and as we walked outside to get into the car, we both shivered in the freezing cold. Knowing that the intense frigid weather would cause severe distractions, I decided against the fountain idea. It was simply far too cold. So I got her in the car, and then said, “Oh! I need to give you your present!” I proceeded to go to the trunk of my car, and shuffle some things around making it sound like I was getting something out of the car. I then told her to close her eyes, and I walked to her side of the car. I opened the door, getting on one knee, and I held the ring out there. She opened her eyes (before I could tell her to!) and gasped as she saw the ring! I then looked at her straight in the eyes, and said, “I just have one question for you…will you marry me?” She gave an exuberant “YES!” to be followed by a big hug!

I then got back in my side of the car, because it was REALLY really cold out! She immediately began texting her ENTIRE contact list on her phone telling them the news. I called my family to inform them of the news as well. Within minutes, she began receiving phone calls and text messages congratulating her on our engagement.

It was an exciting time, and thank you to all who are a part of both of our lives.