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.