The Proposal
Johan and I met through a mutual friend. We fell in love rather quickly and moved in together just as fast. We were together for six years before he proposed.
He finally took the plunge while we were vacationing on the West Coast. We were getting ready to go to my cousin's wedding in Santa Barbara. I had never been to California — though Johan wants us to move there someday (to San Francisco to be exact). So he wanted to show me around San Francisco before we headed south for the wedding.
The Friday before we left, his mother called and left a message for him, specifically that she "wanted to see the ring before we left." I got the message! So I erased it, and then ran out to get a manicure (a real treat for a chef). We left on Saturday. I was loaded with this information and I didn't want to spoil it for him.
Saturday came and went. So did Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I was hoping that he would pop the question when we visited Alcatraz. So meaningful! Get your rock on the rock; life imprisonment; ball and chain ... you get it. But nothing!
So on Wednesday morning (five days after I'd heard the message) he took me to Coit Tower. The weather was finally nice and we walked around to see the sights of the city and the bay. He suggested that I put some new film in my camera, and told me that it was in the middle pocket of his camera bag. I reached in and there was this little box. I opened it up and he said, "It took me long enough to ask you, I hope it doesn't take as long for you to answer." I said, "Yes," and immediately told him that his mom had left a message about the ring before we'd departed (I couldn't hold it in any longer). He took it pretty well; he didn't seem too shocked that his mom ruined the whole surprise. Oh well. Now she's my mother-in-law.
About the Ring
Although it was nothing like what I had been pointing out for five years, it is perfect. He went shopping with his best man (who had been assigned to "Operation Johan Get-off-the-pot") and picked out a stunning solitaire. I absolutely love it.
The Date
June 28, 2003
About the Dress
My mother and I had decided to go to David's Bridal to check out different styles. My mother is an awesome seamstress and had made my sister's wedding dress. We were thinking that if we found something that looked nice, she would try to copy the pattern. Well, we found something. But instead of putting my mother through all the trials and tribulations, we bought it. It fit perfectly ... in January. We brought it home and I would visit it on the weekends. Then it occurred to me in May (two months after starting Buff Brides) that maybe I should double-check the fit. And I ended up needing quite a bit of alterations. Good for me! Bad for my wallet.
