I give all of the credit for my relationship to Aziz Ansari. I know. But his book, Modern Romance, really did the trick. I read it about two years ago and because of this book, I started seeing dating in a different way. I decided I would give second chances and second dates, which as many of you know, was extremely rare.
It all started a little over 18 months ago...the apps were giving me the same BS dates as usual. I had swiped on this one really handsome guy, but it didn't go anywhere and since he didn't ask me out, I decided to take a break from the dating apps and delete Bumble for a few days. Once I downloaded it again, a familiar face popped up. I paused. My thumb was on the picture ready to swipe left because we had matched before but he never asked me out...but because I was trying a new thing (giving second chances), I slowly swiped right. Thank god I did....because it was the best decision of my life!
Guys...I'M ENGAGED!
From the last blog post, you may know that we moved...and we moved fast at the beginning!
6/1/17 - First Date
7/22/17 - Boyfriend/Girlfriend Official
8/12/17 - We exchanged "I Love You"
9/4/17 - Our first cruise together
11/12/17 - We moved in together
12/16/18 - ENGAGED
Yes, you saw that right, we're engaged!
Let me back it up a bit so you can all understand the planning and thought that went into this proposal.
It all started back in early October 2018 when Damian and I went on a short 3 day Carnival cruise to Ensenada from Long Beach. It was a cruise like any other.....until we found the Effy jewelry shop. We were just window shopping, and I was "testing" him to make sure he knew what style ring I liked when he said, "well, let's try one on". I looked at him with excitement and confusion but I was down to see some of this ice on my chubby little ring finger.
One thing to note here, we're walking through this shop in our bathrobes by the way.
Anyways, I try on three rings but I'm drawn to one of the three. I tilt my head this way and that way. I hold my hand up, down, to this side and to that side (all while trying to keep the bathrobe sleeve out of the way). I ask some basic questions to the salesman and we thank him and put it back.
The next day, we return...in our bathrobes again. The salesman explains that he's sold a lot of rings, but never to anyone in bathrobes and he'd love for us to be his first robed couple couple. Damian and I laugh, try on the ring again, look at it from side to side and up and down and return it back to the salesman thanking him again for his time.
With that, we end the cruise and go about our lives. Looking back now, Damian did drop a lot of hints though that something was about to happen, but hindsight is 20/20....
December 16th comes, my dad (he drives for Lyft) picks me and Damian up and drops us off at the SD cruise terminal. I'm really excited because this is my first time on Holland America and it's a 7 day cruise!
Damian suggests that we drop off our bags and then explore the ship. We get to floor 9, walk out to the deck and I start taking pictures of the amazing view. As I'm doing this, Damian is apparently rummaging through his small back pack. He turns me around and starts letting me know that he loves me so much and couldn't imagine his life without me. He opens up a small box where I see the ring that we loved from the last cruise and another diamond ring shaped like an anchor.
**Let the water works begin**
I of course said YES!
Immediately I call my mom...no answer....my dad...no answer....my sister....no answer!
I ask Damian if they knew this was happening and he said they did.....
So why aren't they answering??
As we walk back to the cabin I see a banner on the door.
My first thought is, "we haven't met our steward yet, how did Damian get this banner to him?"
Then we walk into the room...there are flower pedals, signs, chocolates, and then I see a camera. The camera is floating behind a curtain and then I lose it even more...My sister and mom are there and my dad is on the phone waiting to congratulate us!
OMG they're going to be on the cruise celebrating with us!
This couldn't have been a more perfect proposal, day, night, cruise, etc.
Well, my sister was hiding under a blanket one deck above where we were....and she and my mom had practiced where we should be, how they'd be able to see us, and how Amy could be hidden....
This surprise proposal was perfectly orchestrated and I couldn't have asked for anything better.
Damian and I ended up really enjoying our trip of course. A few highlights were the turtle release excursion, the spa's hydro pool, Damian's basketball shoot out win, the formal nights and the casino/bingo. Unfortunately we didn't win any money to help with our future nuptials.
Once we got back, I couldn't help but show off my ring and start planning the wedding.
Oh, I almost forgot! The ring he proposed with was the ring we tried on the last cruise together. He waited until I was in the shower at 10:45pm, had 15 minutes before the jewelry store was going to close and ran up, purchased the ring and ran back all before I got out of the shower. He asked me if I noticed that he was sweating when I got out of the shower, but I didn't...and it all went off without a hitch.
I really can't believe what a journey it's been. Reading back to my first blog posted on March 21, 2014...just 5 years ago, I explained that I was looking for my partner in crime and I've found him. Damian makes me smile every day. He makes me feel loved and makes me feel as though we can conquer anything. I can't wait to call him my husband.
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