He Proposed!

 *SQQUUUEEEEEAAAALLLLLL!!!*

Talk about out of nowhere! I knew it was coming up, but wow, it was suddenly here! Steven and I had talked about rings and what not about 2 weeks ago and last weekend (the 8th) went and got our fingers measured. I knew I was going to have to work harder on giving him more free time if I ever wanted him to get a ring soon and without him asking for alone time. I had just told the Kindergarteners I work with about what an engagement means Friday the 7th (one of them getting so excited I was going to marry my boyfriend <though he hadn't formally asked yet>) and just told one of my co-workers yesterday about how I was expecting the engagement to happen at the end of this month or sometime in February.

But here it was, yesterday night, STEVEN POPPED THE QUESTION! Unfortunately he used my promise ring (claiming he wanted to get the ring first, but tonight was too perfect). He wants us to go back to Zales again this weekend to get the real thing.

From of what I heard this was Steven's reasons for why it had to have happened last night:

He woke up just feeling extra lovey that day. I'd say it must be that super happy feeling one gets and everything in your brain about life makes sense and the thought of nothing could go wrong all about you. Upon feeling like that, my promise ring was at his house cuz I was silly and forgot it there (seriously). He suspected I had planned to come over that night as well. With all the snow drama work was letting him off early. The snow was falling in that perfect amount that was enjoyable (if not magical) to walk through (though that was more of a bonus since it began snowing just before dinner) and it was 1/11/11, he knew he couldn't pass up this opportunity that was laid out before him.

Now back to my side of things. I woke up feeling no different. I had already planned to go see Ikan that night but had to accomplish my goals for the day: Work, Job Hunt, Work. Surprisingly during my job hunting I got a call. I was glad to have heard my phone vibrating in my coat pocket about 10 feet away and eagerly jumped up to answer it (hoping it was a job inquiry). Unfortunately it wasn't :( But it was Steven! He called to let me know about the early leave that they were having. Instead of 5:30 they could leave at 4. I was excited that we'd have a longer hang out, but Steven suspected that the traffic would be horrible with everyone trying to beat the snow home. I was still optimistic that he'd be home plenty early still. But before he hung up, Ikan says, "Happy 11 anniversary." I thought it was cute he remembered the day of the month we first met on. I had decided not to say 'Happy (# months) Anniversary' anymore since we've been together over a year and felt it'd be redundant. I'll mention something on half and whole year anniversaries though since those seem more appropriate now.

Anyways, during my second shift of work, I was relaying my weekend to one of my co workers. Like I had said, I was giving her my assumptions of when the proposal might happen and she's real excited for me. As I left I saw Steven had called around 3:45 and was already at the bus station to head home. There still wasn't any snow, so I was pretty sure Steven might beat me to his house. Sure enough he had... by like 30 seconds.

Once in and hello's exchanged, Steven asks what I'd like to do tonight. I listed off a few ideas like games, cook dinner, and a movie. I then ask what he wanted to do and he says that it's a surprise. I'm thinking, "what?" and of course am intrigued by the mystery. I tried to pester it out of him, but instead he says he'd like to go out to eat tonight, somewhere nice though. I told him I didn't have any money on me but he persisted and said he'd pay. He asked where I'd like to go that was around the Commons. I listed off a few that he liked as well but he had me make the final choice. Since I was hankering for bread sticks, we went to the Olive Garden.

As he drove us there, the snow began to descend from the sky. In between small talk I'm wondering why Steven was feeling like going out to eat tonight. Yes the thought of this could be the proposal went through my head, but I thought, "No way! There was only one day we didn't see each other after getting our fingers measured and from the sounds of it I don't think he went out last night. Okay Meri, just stay cool. This most likely has to be just a nice date. And even if it is, maybe that means a second dinner is in the future," mused my greedy head.

Dinner came and went, in which we saw some members of Dash Point Ward. During dinner I noticed my naked finger and mentioned to Steven that I forgot to put the promise ring on when we were at the house. He just said it was funny I forgot but assured me it was safe. For dessert we went to Menchi's and got Apple Pie and Mango with Mochi bits, fudge and marshmallow sauce. It was so tasty!

Now with all the falling snow, Steven told me we were going to get our walkies in. He wouldn't tell me where. My head went on a daydream to Redondo's Boardwalk, thinking how cute would it be for him to propose there. Instead we went to the Commons and parked. I was getting very suspicious now. Still, I was trying to be every bit in denial since it seemed too soon for him to ask.

For you, the reader, walking around in the snow at the mall may not be the most picturesque places you can think of for a proposal, but I assure you, Steven chose the perfect spot.

We walked around the parking lot and into Target to warm up some. After doing a lap around the store we headed back to the car. As we approached his car, Steven asks, "Do you know why I chose this place for us to walk?" My romantic head of course knew the significance of the place we were at. "Yes," I said, "This was where we walked on our first date," we then began to walk around his car, "and this was when you began to point out all the dents and scratches and told me the stories for each one," now we were behind his car, "and this is where you pulled me into a slow dance that misty night." Steven then adds, "Yes, but now I'm a better dancer," and with that begins to waltz me in circles right there. We even sang  The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine while we hustled. It was great fun and thankfully neither of us slipped on the snow.

I beamed with how cute everything was. Snow falling everywhere, Steven remembering the details of our first date, singing, dancing and in the midst of kisses Steven begins to tell me all the amazing things I am to him. It was happening, no denying. I was so happy to hear how important I was to him, and though I could type out every word he said, I'll share the last line:

"I can't stand the thought of not being with you, so I want you to know (through my watery eyes I see him kneel down) will you, Meri, me?" 

There in front of me is my promise ring in his hand. I laughed at first thinking, "Duh! He would take opportunity of me forgetting my ring." Of course I said yes and in triumph he lifts me up and spins me around. The proposal was everything I thought it would be. I am proud to say I'm engaged to Steven! He is the love of my life (no matter how short lived it has been so far) and couldn't have asked for a better guy. 

So there you have it. I'm the future Mrs. Kopsa. May the wedding day come swiftly now (which might be 11/11/11 <our 2 year> or April/May 2012 <when his bro is home>).