A few days ago I commented on this blog that I would write my own engagement story. I didn't get around to it. Til now.
So, here it is.
Christmas Eve 2001.
During the day I was working at the hospital 7am-3:30pm. Chris had come to Ponoka from Edmonton and we were planning to spend Christmas Eve with my immediate and extended family at my mom and dad's house and Christmas Day with his family at his parents' house, which happens to be about 7ish kilometers from mine.
Unbekownst to me, Chris had called my dad earlier that day to see if he was going to be around "to talk". My dad confirmed that he would be around and Chris went to my mom and dad's place earlier in the day, before I was home from work. After puttering around for a while, Chris and Dad went into town to get a few things and small talk ensued (or so I am told).
At about 3pm and only about a kilometer from mom and dad's house, Dad finally says, "so, you wanted to talk about something....", opening the proverbial door for Chris to jump right in.
Chris stammers out a "well, I bought a ring....." to which my Dad replies "I'm already married, but thanks". (You see, making jokes is how my family deals with awkward situations. Or any situations, for that matter.)
So finally Chris gets to the point and asks my dad if he would give his blessing for Chris to ask me to marry him. My parents, already expecting this to be what Chris wanted to talk about, were thrilled. You see, we hadn't (ok, I hadn't) really made it any secret that I was anxious to get married and start a family (something my brother in laws like to bug me about...Tom! Dan!). So, that part was out of the way and a bit of a relief for Chris, I think.
I'm an old fashioned kind of girl and Chris knew that this archaic tradition was important to me. And I love that it is part of "our" story.
So, we go through Christmas Eve celebrations with the family - dinner, gifts, The Christmas story, visiting, etc. My parents have this little "secret" with Chris. I am wondering why everyone is acting so weird.
Turns out, Chris had the ring in his pocket, just floating around in there with his change, and was just waiting for the right moment. Or a time when he wasn't crapping his pants he was so nervous. Not sure which one, really. Haha
The end of the night nears, Chris goes to start the infamous Bronco (the brunt of many jokes in our family, maybe one day I will write that story) to warm it up. We were both heading over to his parents' house to spend the night and have Christmas Day. (You see, when I moved out to go to college, I lost my bedroom, so there was no longer anywhere for me to sleep).
We said our goodbyes and headed out.
About half way between my parents house and his, Chris stopped at the side of the road, under the guise of something being wrong with the truck. If you know about this truck, you know that this was super believable to me and I was bordering on being pissed off.
The weird thing was, Chris went around the back of the truck and came to my door, opening it and asking for a hug. Me, irritated, was like, "What?".
After some convincing, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out to find the love of my life on one knee in the snow, in the dark, at the side of a country road with the ring that we had picked out together months before.
I'd love to say that I remember everything he said to me, which I know was really sweet, but in reality I don't really remember any of the conversation. In my mind's eye, I can see the scene clear as day but can't remember any of the words except these:
Chris: "So, what do you say....."
Me: "Uh.....you didn't ask me anything."
Chris:. "Oh, Will you marry me?"
Me: "Of course!"
After some hugging and kissing, my now fiance, ruins the moment by saying this:
"You were crying the ugly cry"
Yup. Romantic.
And the rest they say is history, folks!
Here we are on our wedding day, September 7, 2002:
So, here it is.
Christmas Eve 2001.
During the day I was working at the hospital 7am-3:30pm. Chris had come to Ponoka from Edmonton and we were planning to spend Christmas Eve with my immediate and extended family at my mom and dad's house and Christmas Day with his family at his parents' house, which happens to be about 7ish kilometers from mine.
Unbekownst to me, Chris had called my dad earlier that day to see if he was going to be around "to talk". My dad confirmed that he would be around and Chris went to my mom and dad's place earlier in the day, before I was home from work. After puttering around for a while, Chris and Dad went into town to get a few things and small talk ensued (or so I am told).
At about 3pm and only about a kilometer from mom and dad's house, Dad finally says, "so, you wanted to talk about something....", opening the proverbial door for Chris to jump right in.
Chris stammers out a "well, I bought a ring....." to which my Dad replies "I'm already married, but thanks". (You see, making jokes is how my family deals with awkward situations. Or any situations, for that matter.)
So finally Chris gets to the point and asks my dad if he would give his blessing for Chris to ask me to marry him. My parents, already expecting this to be what Chris wanted to talk about, were thrilled. You see, we hadn't (ok, I hadn't) really made it any secret that I was anxious to get married and start a family (something my brother in laws like to bug me about...Tom! Dan!). So, that part was out of the way and a bit of a relief for Chris, I think.
I'm an old fashioned kind of girl and Chris knew that this archaic tradition was important to me. And I love that it is part of "our" story.
So, we go through Christmas Eve celebrations with the family - dinner, gifts, The Christmas story, visiting, etc. My parents have this little "secret" with Chris. I am wondering why everyone is acting so weird.
Turns out, Chris had the ring in his pocket, just floating around in there with his change, and was just waiting for the right moment. Or a time when he wasn't crapping his pants he was so nervous. Not sure which one, really. Haha
The end of the night nears, Chris goes to start the infamous Bronco (the brunt of many jokes in our family, maybe one day I will write that story) to warm it up. We were both heading over to his parents' house to spend the night and have Christmas Day. (You see, when I moved out to go to college, I lost my bedroom, so there was no longer anywhere for me to sleep).
We said our goodbyes and headed out.
About half way between my parents house and his, Chris stopped at the side of the road, under the guise of something being wrong with the truck. If you know about this truck, you know that this was super believable to me and I was bordering on being pissed off.
The weird thing was, Chris went around the back of the truck and came to my door, opening it and asking for a hug. Me, irritated, was like, "What?".
After some convincing, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out to find the love of my life on one knee in the snow, in the dark, at the side of a country road with the ring that we had picked out together months before.
I'd love to say that I remember everything he said to me, which I know was really sweet, but in reality I don't really remember any of the conversation. In my mind's eye, I can see the scene clear as day but can't remember any of the words except these:
Chris: "So, what do you say....."
Me: "Uh.....you didn't ask me anything."
Chris:. "Oh, Will you marry me?"
Me: "Of course!"
After some hugging and kissing, my now fiance, ruins the moment by saying this:
"You were crying the ugly cry"
Yup. Romantic.
And the rest they say is history, folks!
Here we are on our wedding day, September 7, 2002:
Us with my Dad's truck, 1956 F-100. His baby.
My wedding gift to Chris was a corvette as our wedding car for the day, borrowed from a friend of the family.
3 comments:
I've heard the story before but is was equally enjoyable to read about it! Especially since I do NOT remember Chris telling you that you were ugly crying! I must've blocked that!!
Aww, what a great story Janice, so romantic!!
I love your dress and you looked beautiful on your wedding day (no surprise). Your hushabd is pretty hot too actually. don't know if I've ever told you I thought that. Okay, that sounds creepy LOL!
Awww...I've heard this before, as well, but reading it brings out the details.
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