BIG NEWS!!!!!

Something happened last night...something wonderful, something that made me cry and smile......

Ryan asked me to marry him!!

That's right, you read that right, I'm engaged!

Let's rewind to the beginning......

Ryan and I have been dating for over 3 years (it was 3 years on January 1st) and have openly talked about our future together. It was pretty early on that there was not a doubt that we would be spending the rest of our lives together.

A couple of years ago Ryan was working in the city and I was there with him. After work, we headed to a mall to get some new hockey skates for him. On our way to the hockey store, Ryan pulled me into a jewelry store and we started looking at rings.

Looking back now I had fears about this. I thought, "well that's not very romantic picking out my own ring." There wasn't a big selection at the store. They had all of their rings out to a local wedding show. This kind of disappointed me but the jewelry guy asked Ryan if he would ever consider making a special ring, designed just for me.

Well, my eyes lit up pretty quickly! What a dream. We sat down, I told the jeweler what I liked and didn't like, and he made me a sketch to see. That's where it ended! I never saw anything else.

Ryan went back to look at a molding, pick out a diamond and etc. The ring was completed (apparently) in October 2009 and Ryan has had it ever since.

I knew back then that it would still be a while before any engagement. Did I ever think that I wouldn't see that ring for over another 2 years? No way!

Needless to say, I was very patient......HA NOT! When 2011 rang in this year I kind of knew it was going to be my year. I just didn't know when and that was killing me.

I like to plan, everything! I organize things to the last ounce and not having control was driving me nuts. I don't think I was the only one. After special events (Christmas, New Years, and etc) I would see people eyeing up my ring finger.

I kind of pride myself in being pretty perceptive. There were moments where I would think, "this is it" only to be completely wrong. Over time I thought that I would just know when it was going to happen, that it wouldn't be a surprise at all, I was wrong!

My brother's birthday and Ryan's are very close together. For the last 3 years we have gotten together for an Irish supper to celebrate both birthdays. This year was no different.

Last night, I had the whole family over for supper. On my Monday off I cleaned the house, pre-made some food and got the decorations up.

Pre-engagement photo before the family arrived

Tuesday afternoon I went home early to make the rest of the food before everyone arrived. It was all a hit. We ate a yummy feast made by me, opened some gifts for the birthday boys and then settled in at the table before cake.

I had been spending most of my time being the good hostess. Cleaning up plates, putting food away, and other. Little did I know, someone eagerly wanted me to sit down.

Just as I had cleared supper I was standing chatting at the table when I felt Ryan pull me down into my seat. I was honestly paying more attention to my sister in law bouncing my niece and singing then to what was going on. I looked over at him and he started saying the sweetest things. My first thought was, "aw, how sweet" but at this point I still hadn't clued in to what was going in.

The next thing I knew, he was getting down on his knee and that is when I clued in!! I couldn't believe it and of remember saying, "Are you serious?"

Through tears and nervous laughter I managed to say "yes, of course".

He slipped on the ring that I have been dying to see for the last two years.

Ya, not a nice picture but I had been doing the "ugly" cry!

It was special moment that I will never forget. I was so shocked, surprised and last night now seems like a wonderful dream. It was so nice to share that moment with my family and later his too as we drove out to tell them the good news. It was a birthday supper that I will never forget!

Love you, Ry.

xo