Engaged on our 1st Anniverary
Yes, it's true, Joel and I are engaged to be married.
Yesterday was our 1st anniversary. We woke up in a very lazy fashion (especially since it was roughly a 102 degrees outside) and decided to have breakfast at the place where we first met, Holman's. As we got ready we started to talk about engagement (a frequent topic of conversation). Joel suggested that we go to a local pawnshop to look at rings.
A little background: The first time that Joel and started to talk about getting married, I told him that I didn't want a new diamond engagement ring. I don't like the idea of potentially owning a conflict diamond, but instead, wanted either a synthetic diamond or some other stone. I expressed to Joel that I only wanted a diamond if it was antique; hence, the suggestion that we look at a pawnshop.
On our way to breakfast we stopped at the pawnshop; however, there wasn't anything interesting. We talked a bit more about looking at rings, but were unsure where to search further.
During breakfast, Joel was flipping through the Mercury and I was flipping through the Willamette Week. Joel ran across an ad for Maloy's, a jewelry shop in downtown Portland that specializes in antique and estate jewelry. He suggested that they may have exactly what we are looking for. A few seconds later, I found a second Maloy's ad in the Willamette Week. We felt it was a sign.
Upon entering Maloy's we immediately felt relief from the heat. The store was small, but very attractive; decorated with antiques with a classic feel. I loved the atmosphere and was very impressed by the staff. Joel and I looked at all the rings in the display case. There were several very beautiful rings, but nothing that seemed perfect. Next they pulled out all of their settings. Joel pointed out one, which I picked up and liked it immediately. I fell in love with it when they placed the diamond in it. I knew that it was the ring. Pictured above, it is of the Victorian style, made it the 1890s of rose gold. I love the fact that it is truly an antique.
The ladies at the store were smiling along with us. They explained that to make the ring wearable they would have to place the diamond in and size it. When they found out it was our anniversary, they stated that they would try to get the ring finished before the store closed.
Joel and I busied ourselves for the next couple of hours. At 3:30, we received the call that they had completed the ring. We rushed back to the store. When they showed me the completed ring I almost cried; it was so beautiful. One of the staff smiled at Joel and said "Now you have to put it on her finger. There's a love seat over there." We looked over at the pretty love seat and smiled. We walked over, I sat down and Joel got down on one knee. He took my hand, kissed it and said "I love you. I want to be married to you. Will you marry me?" I smiled and said yes.
We were giggly and happy as he placed the ring on my finger. One of the staff members offered us water in a champagne glasses (due to the hot weather) and then took our picture with a Polaroid (see picture below).
After we left the shop we went to Joel's parents house to let them know. In the evening we went out with some friends to celebrate. Everybody was excited and supportive.
It was truly a memorable day. I love Joel very much and look forward to being his wife. We have no wedding date as of yet, but we are thinking either Memorial Day weekend or Labor Day weekend next year. Soon I will start planning what will be one of the biggest days of our lives.
posted by Trissa at 1:54 PM
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