The Story So Far - Part I

So, that cold summer we had in 2009? Hell freezing over. Ken and Christina actually got engaged in the spring No, really!

How did we get here?

The past couple years, usually after we've had a bottle or so of champagne, we'd talk about marriage. Trust me, we've talked about it the whole 7 years or so we've been together, but it was usually my talking about why I never wanted to get married - too big a promise to make; too many unknowns; too easy to get lazy about whether you really wanted to be with the person you were stuck with; so much more fulfilling to know that your partner is with you by choice every day.

So let's look at a timeline to see if we can spot how this may have changed:

June 6, 2002: Ken and Christina's first date (drinks at Pete Miller's in Evanston; dinner at Campagnola). Christina leaves for the Scottish Isles, Faroe Islands, and Iceland next day.

June 2002: Christina returns; that Saturday, Ken and Christina go on second and third dates in the same day.

July 2002: Ken and Christina decide they are dating exclusively.

July 2002: While standing in line for hours to ride the coasters at Cedar Point, Ken brings up the idea of marriage. Christina firmly states her negative position on the idea.

August 2002: Ken gets Christina the first in a line of fantastic birthday gifts - renting a Porsche Boxster for a long weekend.

Most Fridays in 2002-03: After several strong Belgian beers at Hopleaf, discussions on why a "for the rest of your life" promise is a hard one to be sure one can make.

2002-2007: Great times, for the most part

July 2007:  After months (it seems years) of looking, Ken and Christina buy a 1967 Mustang convertible; take title together. First significant thing owned jointly.

June 2008: Ken gets Christina another great birthday gift: winning a charity auction benefiting PAWS (no-kill animal shelter) whereby Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick will deliver pizzas (from Piece, where he a partner) to one's home. Negotiations for pizza party date begin

October 2008: Christina goes on fantastic trip with her aunt and uncle to Madagascar. Sees many lemurs. Purchases aquamarine stones (really, there's a reason for this entry)

November/December 2008: Visit jeweler, Christopher Duquet in Evanston, to design some ideas around aquamarines - a ring and a necklace. Pick up stunning ring. Necklace needs some work.

January 2009: Visit jeweler to pick up necklace. Apparently everyone at NU got engaged over holidays, have to wait. Look at rings in cases, discuss interesting designs. Encouraged to try everything on.

Two hours later: "Are we shopping for engagement rings?" (Christina's blonde). Mr. Duquet is confused, thinks we are already married.

One hour later: "There's a process, you know. Ring-shopping is one of the LAST steps in the process." "I know, but if we do this part, the rest will be easier."

February 2009: Rick Nielsen pizza party date confirmed for March 21

March 2009: Ring and stone decisions made. Ring ordered.

March 20, 2009: Ring ready, Mr. Duquet going on vacation for a couple weeks. Ken frantically goes to Christina's parents late Friday night, has "the talk."

15 minutes later: Christina frantically puts stop to family grapevine, since nothing's official, may take months.

March 21, 2009 - morning: Ken picks up ring while Christina cleans house in preparation for Rick Nielsen/Piece pizza party at Ken's house. Upon return Christina says "it's beautiful. Now the rest is up to you" (figuring, given Ken's planning pace, it will be months until he confidently figures out the appropriate time, place, meaningful event for proposal).

March 21, 2009 - evening: Pizza party. A wonderful time was had by all. Ken showing ring privately to select family and friends.

March 22, 2009 - early morning: While Christina's washing dishes after midnight while eating leftover spinach dip, Ken proposes and slides ring on finger. The party playlist was playing the Ramones and then the English Beat.

And THAT, as they say, is the rest of the story.