That one time I got engaged on Int'l Womens Day

Happy International Women's Day everyone! Women are awesome. I'm awesome. I'd say more, but I've already fulfilled my feminist quota for the week here, so hey, did I ever tell you about that one time I got engaged on Int'l women's day? Well I did.

Zach and I started dating in mid-February 2007; by March 8, 2008 we had been dating for over a year aka nearly an eternity in BYU terms. Really, even if it had "felt right" or an angel had come down with a flaming sword, or whatever the reason is people jump into an eternal commitment after a few weeks of chastely dry humping, I don't think our pride would have let us seal the deal any sooner. As previously evidenced, I engage in a little "friendly" mocking of quicky engagements. The hypocrisy of being one myself would have eaten me alive. In fairness we actually hadn't been living in the same place during the summer and fall, as I had abandoned him for summer employment and then an internship in DC, but come winter term we were finally reunited in good old Provo.

Ah, and what grand times we had. I think we had been mildly terrified of actually dating in person after 8 months of  cell-phone and IM courtship. Surprisingly, everything just sort of fell into place, and we became a nauseatingly cute, attached at the hip couple in no time flat.

Not being entirely immune to the BYU matrimonial pheromones, and facing imminent graduation, we started broaching the "M" subject with increasing frequency. About a month in, "should" or "if" started to be replaced by "when."

Well, at least for me. Zach seemed positively inclined, but in general he's the type that like to think things over forever, and will not make any decisions until he has been 100% certain for a really long time. I'm a little more, well lets just call it "intuitive." I'd like to say that I patiently waited for him to be sure. That I realized that it would be best if he was as sure as I was, and pushing him would be stupid. I did, mostly. The only time I really lost my cool was when he started discussing grad school plans, and how maybe we could live together sexlessly if "we" decided not to get married quite yet. I think I was justified for a minor blow up over that. Well and the time we went out for a fancy symphony date for our anniversary, and he only went to one knee to tie his shoe. I was great for the date, but the next day I was a little bitchy. But, I got over it, and recommitted to being patient, respectful and less of a crazy person.

I was trying to be a good, sane girlfriend/human being, when Zach asked me if I wanted to go walk around Provo canyon Saturday morning. I had a hunch of what his real motivation might be, partially because I'm not stupid, but mostly because we only went to Provo canyon to make out more intensely and privately than was possible in our respective apartments. (My former roommates may not believe it, but we honestly did try to not be overly obnoxious lust bunnies. I swear.) Still, as part of my non-crazy vow, I tried to avoid fixating. 

When he came to pick me up on Saturday he had a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates for my roommates and I in celebration of our womeness for Int'l womens day/because he is a smart man. A few chocolates latter and we headed off to the canyon. Where we walked around. And walked some more. What we did not do was stop in any nice pretty spot. What he did not do was propose. We just walked, until we started walking back to the car, thereby killing my hopes and my dreams for one more day ( I sound like one of those crazy, Gollumlike must get a ring girls, don't I? Does it help that it wasn't so much a must get married as it was a being crazy about Zach and wanting to marry him now? Maybe? A little?)

A little before the parking lot he pulled me into a little grove of trees, got down on one knee, and said something. I'm sure I was listening intently at the time, but I have no idea now. I remember it being very sweet, and the phrase "Will you marry me?" was used at some point, but actual words, eh, not so much.

But the feeling, oh that I remember. It was like an explosion and a stillness all it once. Where all of my emotions were flooding and overpowering me with the force of it all, while I just stood there in perfect serenity. It was powerful and scary and perfect and right all at once.

While I don't remember his words, I do remember mine. I first responded with an exuberant "of course I'll marry you!" grabbing him into an embrace by his coat. While we were wrapped in each others arms, I tenderly whispered in his ear that if he was joking, I would "rip his spine out," because that's just the kind of sweet mood killing girl I am. And with that we were engaged.

We laughed and teared up, called family (My Dad's response upon answering the phone? "What do you want? When he finally let me share what was going on, after initial congratulations, he started talking about how he was so glad I didn't marry my ex. Which I suppose is kind of like giving approval.), began weeks of overly careful and analytical ring shopping, and just tried to take it all in for the rest of the day.

Best women's day ever. So far it's turned out to be a decent decision.

(Us, today)