VERSION 2.0

Version 1.0 -- April 15, 2005
Version 2.0 -- November 26, 2005
Version 3.0 -- Coming September 2, 2006
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This past weekend started out as a somewhat predictable weekend... Relax with John and family on Friday; Visit with John's sister and stepfamily on Saturday; Church on Sunday, decorate the apartment Sunday night.

Little did either of us know what would transpire on Saturday.

So we're driving back from John's sister's on Saturday afternoon, after having spent time with many faces I'm still getting used to... (a bit overwhelming when your regular family is only 4 other people)... and we're discussing what to do with obtaining an engagement ring.

Now, we've been discussing marriage for quite some time, and have gone through our share of freakout times (getting used to the idea that our single lives are about to go bye-bye), and have been working through our premarital book (being precocious, we figured why not start on the work books before we actually get engaged and go to pastoral premarital counseling), and John's already secured my parents' blessing... so getting formally engaged and proposed to, complete with engagement ring has been a popular topic as of the last few months.

Back to the engagement ring... now John has been fretting over obtaining this heirloom ring/diamond in his father's family for awhile... and while I'm not one to desire huge rocks on my finger (I'm very tactile, it would be a little in the way... plus, I'm chinese- practicality is hard wired into our mainframe, y'know?), I knew this was really important to him because he misses his daddy (who passed away last year) and he is very romantic and therefore, thoughtful and sentimental. But his stepmom misses his dad too, and is not ready to pass the heirloom yet, so John was a bit bummed. While I see why he is bummed, I also understand how this is difficult for his stepmom-- so I was okay with the verdict.

Anyway, we were driving back from his sister's place and somehow, we decided to go to a movie-- kinda to cleanse the palate, do something fun, take in the Christmas decorations and lights-- lighthearted, y'know? And we got back to discussing what to do about the ring, since now a purchase of one would be required. And somehow, we got around to talking about John's dream of surprising me and doing something huge and magnificent... and I think I said something about how it would be kinda ironic that for two somewhat dramatic people to take a more anticlimactic route, and perhaps life will have enough drama of its own without us making it. Also, we are very much partners in many ways-- we tend to make really good decisions when we make them together-- it almost seems right that we would look for a ring together. Although I know John was probably a little bummed that his plans for a surprise proposal was pretty much shot, we both agree that what ended up happening was rather memorable and surprising for both of us.

So we got to the mall, decided to grab a hot beverage, and walk around. While we were at it, we decided to just do some research on this ring thing, not really expecting to buy anything. So we went from jewelry counter, to jewelry counter, and each time, I just told them we need to walk around and think about it.... which is a good way to say "no thanks." I tried on moissanite- which is a very nice substitution for diamond (and a more socially conscious choice), but were unhappy with the dimensions and limited range of styles available. We then decided to try out the diamond counters. We got headaches from the overwhelmingness of it all... and at the last place, Rogers and Hollands, we found something promising, but we were getting a headache... so we decided to hold that thought and go grab something to eat.

We stopped halfway to dinner when John grabbed me and began to pray with me. Just a pryaer to let God be in control. Suddenly, the overwhelming hugeness and headaches dissipated as we made our way to dinner.

We stopped in at Champps and split a pan pacific asian salad-- and John went off to the bathroom ... and he was there for a while... thinking, apparently. Funny how bathrooms have their place in our relationship. Anyhoo, when he got back to the table, he told he was thinking how funny it would be if we actually bought the ring that night, and wouldn't it be cool if we went back to Rogers and Hollands and check it out one more time?

So after dinner, we went back to Rogers and Hollands and felt good about the ring. It was the right size, the right style, and it was both of us. As John was purchasing the ring, I said something about the fact that he could still surprise me by choosing the location for the proposal, and wouldn't it be so "us" that this whole thing was turning out to be rather spontaneous. He liked that idea.

So John pocketed the ring and drove me into the city. The drive there, we were both rather excited and listened to his iPod to keep us calm... and we had some laughs along the way, because we thought that this whole thing was freaky cool, and us, and somewhat humorous because it was us, the couple listening to "beef log, cheese log" while we were driving towards our proposal site. [Warning: "beef log, cheese log" is a popular, obnoxious tune in our relationship-- it will likely find its way into our wedding reception]

We ended up in Millenium Park, where the Christmas lights were up, the crowds were milling about, enjoying the Chicago scenery and holiday atmosphere.

John leads me to the fountains, where two large video towers display images of human faces with water cascading down the sides. This is a special place for us. John asks me if I know the significance of this place. I said, "This is where you first told me you loved me." And he said "This is where I'm going to declare my undying love for you." He then asks me to take a seat on the benches. Then he lowered himself to one knee and asked me to be his wife. As he's presenting the ring, he experienced some technical difficulties in getting it out of the box-- he ripped open the paper box to get at the ring box inside... and there it is, OUR engagement ring. I thought "wow. this is it. I love this man. I want to marry John. I want to be his wife. I would love to be his wife. I would be proud to be his wife. God, help me!"

So I breathlessly said "Yes," and there was much rejoicing as we embraced and shared some victory smooches as fiancees. I think I can vaguely remember the "awwww's" and "congratulations!" from the people milling about there, I was so happy to share that moment with John.

I am a very happy girl. The Lord has blessed us and we are excited to see what He has in store for us as we prepare for marriage !!!

BTW... Major shout outs go to all our friends and family who have stood by our sides, loved us, comforted us, and played key parts in preparing us for each other so far, for which we are truly and deeply grateful. We feel very loved and we look forward to sharing Version 3.0 with you next year!