The Proposal...

Nearly nine months pregnant, it was a snowy day and I was off to my weekly doctor's check up. Generally, Jud went with me but since it was Christmas Eve and I was fairly certain he still had a little shopping/wrapping to do I went off on my own. Little did I know, Jud was up and out right after me.

We had discussed that with the baby coming that we would not "go crazy" this Christmas. I rushed home from the doctor's visit to find Jud hidden away behind a closed door and I left him to his last minute preparations. When he finally appeared he was a little flustered but I just chalked it up to his racing around that morning. In trying to decide how we would open gifts, I simply stated, "I hope you aren't disappointed [with so few gifts]," to which he echoed my sentiment. I was very matter of fact and said, "I know I am not getting a ring so there is nothing to be disappointed about!"

We started opening, each of us chosing the first gift for each other... I got an electric toothbrush and Deluxe Scrabble - so okay, maybe I could be a little disappointed. Jud opened his Ralph Lauren Peacoat and I started opening a gift that looked like it could have been a Yankee jar candle. It was a wrapped Christmas tin that I had in the closet, then I opened that to find plethora of tissue paper. Under which was a little box - still I was certain it was not a ring - I open the box planning to see earrings or something else but it was a beautiful, perfect engagement ring.

Well, needless to say, the pregnant hormonal lady began to cry. It took me a while to pull myself together and finally say "yes" but I did and here we are planning an August wedding!

I later found out that Jud even called Tom to ask for permission to marry his daughter, to which Dad asked "Which one?" Always the jokester!