Looking Forward to 2011

Just a quick update, since it's been awhile!

While everyone has been busy with the holidays, our first Christmas as an engaged couple was sadly spent apart. We rang in 2011 11,000 kilometres away, but it began on a hopeful note. This year I'll move home, and we'll finally be reunited for good! It's sure to be an amazing year.

We are still in the initial planning phase of our wedding, and we are discovering just how much work it really is. There are so many details that I'd never have even considered a month ago.

I'm slowly incorporating the word "fiance" into my life, though it still feels a bit strange saying it.

I've found myself browsing wedding websites and thinking of white dresses. With the amount of work involved, I can see how some couples could become extremely stressed when it comes to planning their weddings. We want our wedding to be a reflection of us... fun and laid back. I can't wait to be back in the same country as Ryan so we can plan it and have a great time doing so!

Bliss

I'm not going to lie, I'm loving every single minute of being engaged.

Despite the 11,000 kilometers currently separating me from my future husband (that was very weird to type...) this shiny thing on my left hand stands as a constant reminder that the distance isn't permanent. A few years from now we'll look back on these days and remember the time we spent apart, and hopefully it will help us appreciate every moment that we spend together in the future. Speaking of shiny... this beautiful ring sure likes to be the center of attention. The other day I was standing next to a brightly lit Christmas tree while my diamond was sparkling away just doing it's thing... reflecting the lights and making it's very own dazzling light show. One of my colleagues caught a glimpse of it and rushed over to my hand. "Wow, is that a diamond?!" She asked, stunned. I proudly showed it off, forgetting about my professional work image as I blubbered on about Ryan's romantic proposal and how he'd picked the ring out all by himself. He sure did well.

The amount of research that went into picking this particular ring is incredible. Not that this comes to a surprise to any of you who know Ryan, because that is who he is. He'd never make an important decision without taking into consideration all of the facts. (Take for example, the fact that we spent every day together for nearly 8 months before we finally dated.) He went from having no knowledge whatsoever and ended up an expert on diamonds, learning about cut, color, clarity... and everything else that there was to know. Months ago when he asked me what my ideal engagement ring would look like, I had no idea. "Something shiny!" I'd replied. I got exactly what I wanted, and more. I couldn't have pictured this ring if I tried, it's so unique and so beautiful, and exactly what I wanted, even if I didn't know it at the time. I'd like to personally thank our friend Alex, who endured hours of ring talk and was subjected to dozens of YouTube videos without actually being able to see the ring until it was on my finger. Needless to say, she was very excited when he proposed and she could finally check out the much talked about diamond.

As I've now returned to Dubai, news of the engagement has surfaced amongst my desert friends, all of whom are also eager to check out the rock and offer their congratulations.

I'm normally a modest person who doesn't like to draw a lot of attention to myself, but when it comes to a mention of the ring, I melt. I've so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement that I have to share it. Sure, the ring is stunningly beautiful and perfect, but the meaning behind it is what truly makes me swoon. I'm just a girl in love with a boy. Being newly engaged sure is fun! The only thing that could make it better would be celebrating together.

Will You Marry Me?

According to the general reaction when we broke the news of our engagement, you all knew that the question was coming.

I, on the other hand, did not.

Ryan got down on one knee on December 2, 2010 and I was completely stunned... and thrilled! It was definitely one of the best moments of my life and I'll never forget it.

So how did he do it?

Well, we were in the midst of an absolutely amazing vacation in the beautiful Mayan Riviera, Mexico. Sunset was approaching and we'd decided to go take photos on the beach. Off we went, toting our cameras and a tripod in search of great photos.

We posed for a few cutesy couple photos, as per usual. Ryan was acting a bit funny, but I thought nothing of it... that's just Ryan. As an avid photographer, he decided that we should try light painting. Basically, you use a light to draw in the air and a long exposure on the camera. It's just what it sounds like... painting with light.

We took a few photos like this one:

Pretty cool, hey?

I stood and waited as we took another photo. This time Ryan was writing something, but I couldn't quite make out what it was supposed to say. We ran to the camera once he was finished and I was still pretty confused. Sure, looking at it now it makes perfect sense, but at the time I responded "Oh, that's pretty..." as he kissed me.

Proposal fail. My bad?

We went back to our spot for another photo. I waited for him to write something or pull me in for a kiss, but instead he got down on one knee in front of me and asked "Will you marry me?"

I stood in shock, staring at him.

"Really?!" I asked. Only a few days earlier he'd joked about buying a fake engagement ring as a cruel joke to play on our family. I'd refused, but as he sat there waiting for my response I had to ask "Is it from Walmart?". I'm always the champion of ruining romantic moments.

He pulled out an absolutely amazing Tacori diamond ring... most definitely not from Walmart... and slipped it on my finger as I finally answered yes. OF COURSE I'd marry him. Still in disbelief, we hugged and kissed and got terribly bitten by mosquitoes in our blissfully newly engaged state. When we went back to the camera I was so happy to see that he had a photo of the exact moment! How perfect is he??

The beach at sunset... it was my dream engagement and I couldn't be happier. We headed off for dinner that we'd booked earlier in the week.... Lobster dinner by candlelight on a hut over the water! It was incredibly romantic, and as our main course was delivered fireworks went off down the beach. They weren't intended for us, but we sure felt like they were.

It was perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing if I could.

We haven't planned anything... no wedding dates, locations, or anything of the sort, but I created this blog to gush about how excited I am, and keep everyone informed as we gradually make plans.

On that note, I'll leave you all with a photo of my absolutely amazing ring!