B's Rules of Engagement

B has his own rules of engagement. No, I'm not the only one! He knows mine very well and has been aware of them since very early in our relationship. There will be no ring on a holiday, he will get down on one knee, and I don't fear engagement via the Jumbo Tron.



He's a good apple.

However, because I am able to have my rules so can he. Here are B's rules of engagement:

• We can never go ring shopping together. He's not one of those guys that wants to pick out the ring together. We've looked online lots, but never walked into a jewlery store together to look for rings. I know we never will. He often jokes (at least I hope it's a joke) that I have one chance to tell him what kind of rings I like and that's it. His philosophy is that the ring is a gift that's giving to me and he wants to pick out himself.


• No one can help him pick out the ring. It's all him. I know that my mom, FMIL (future mother-in-law), sister, best friend, Amore, or any other trusted confidant will be not invited to join him on his search for my engagement ring.
  
  
• He will ask my parents. B can be old fashioned. He will forever insist (just like my father does) on calling his in-laws (or future ones) Mr. and Mrs. ____. He will never call my parents by their first names. Following in tradition, he thinks it's important to ask my parents before proposing to get their blessing.


• The proposal will be a surprise. B loves to surprise me. I hate surprises! Well, let me re-phrase that: I love surprises, but am rarely surprised because I always insist on knowing what's going on. He has the ability to surprise me whether it's driving from Atlanta to show up at my door a day early or giving me a gorgeous diamond and sapphire necklace for Christmas he prides himself on his ability to surprise me. I expect nothing less from his proposal despite the fact that I know I'll try to find out every detail.

Although I fuss about it, I like that B has his own rules. His rules simply show that he plans on putting a lot of thought into how he will propose someday. I don't know what the ring will look like, how or when he will propose, but I know that he's The One and that's all that really matters.

--Love

Rules of Engagement

Love's rules for engagement:
Disclaimer: These are simply my rules for engagement and are certainly not universal.

• The engagement cannot come on my birthday, holiday, our anniversary. It cannot replace a gift that would be otherwise purchased.

I wear a crown on my birthday. That day is already special and so are holidays. I don't want my engagement to be on a day that is already special. For me, holiday engagements are predictable. Both of my best friends got engaged over Christmas and it was wonderful for them, but it's not for me.

• No proposal over the Jumbo Tron, on the Today show, on any 50-yard line, pitcher's mound, or center court.

I can be a very out there with my feelings and a very "public person," but I don't want my proposal to come in front of thousands of others. There's something very personal about asking to spend the rest of your life with someone that I think could be very different if that request came with thousands looking on.

• I must be in an English speaking country, close to a phone, or friends and family to immediately share my exciting news!

I know I just said that I didn't want to be in front of a lot of people, but I also don't want to be on a deserted island and unable to share my good news. I am a bridesmaid in August for a couple who got engaged in front of the Eiffel tower (I promise to tell their story soon). As romantic as their story is it's not for me. As an English only speaking woman I can't imagine roaming the streets of Paris simply pointing to my finger unable to relay my excitement in French to those around or be near my friends and family to show off my new bling. I want my moment to be personal, but I also want to be able to share my news!

• The proposal must come on one knee.

Call me old fashioned, but I've dreamt of the moment when my future husband will get one one knee, take my hand, and request that I spend the rest of my life with him. It's on my list.

These are my rules for engagement. What are yours?

The face of being engaged is changing. It's a legal promise now: Jilted bride calls $150,000 jury award ‘justice’

--Love