We had only been officially dating for a few days when the conversation of a wedding came up. I was flabbergasted and told him we were NOT having this conversation because at this stage in the game, I was only supposed to dream about that and giggle about it with my friends! We ended up having that conversation where he told me that he had figured out his intentions before he ever opened his mouth...that October Saturday afternoon in his shop. And that when the time was right, he was going to talk to my dad. I had always dreamed of a man with enough integrity to care what my dads thoughts and feeling were on the subject...so I now had one more thing to respect him for.
We patiently waited for my dad to return from a trip he had taken to Montana and on Saturday November 20, 2010 ( My birthday weekend!) We made arrangements to go to my parents for the evening. My mom knew what was happening but my dad did not. I took my mom downstairs and gave her a massage to leave Dana and my dad alone. I, of course, have only gotten bits and pieces of the conversation but the most important being the part where Dana told my dad that he thought I was an amazing woman, that he loved me and that he would like his permission to marry me. My dad's response, SURE!
Meanwhile, my mom and I are downstairs, and I am dying!! I want to know everything that is going on, what is being talked about and when can we come back upstairs! ?? Finally my mom hollered up and asked if we could come up. I discovered my dad had given his blessing and we sat down and talked about some details.
My mom was overjoyed and was very excited to start telling people. I told her she could but not by way of Facebook that for that she had to wait! We had a toast and Dana and I walked back down to the red house. My mind was reeling...I had to start planning a wedding, I had to do this and do that ... we walked into the kitchen and Dana looks perplexed. He blurts out "this is all wrong." " What's all wrong?" I ask. " THIS! You're mom wants to start telling people, we're planning but I haven't officially proposed." I felt bad and started to hug him, assuring him that it was going to be okay. " I can tell my mom NOT to tell people." I did not want to get in the way of whatever he had planned, and did not want him to feel rushed or any of that. But then he said, "No forget it." and he dropped down on one knee in the middle of the kitchen floor my hands in his, Alice jumping around between us and he looked at me and said "Will you marry me?" I cried, stood up hugged him and kissed him while of course saying YES!!!
He had not planned on proposing on the kitchen floor but when it comes right down to it, the kitchen at the red house is where much of our falling in love had taken place, so it actually was absolutely perfect.
