We were enjoying a lovely stroll on a Sunday in Dublin's St. Stephen's Green, the sun was shining and everything was green (must be the Irishness), something we Upstate NYers rarely ever see in mid-January. We fed the ducks and watched a playful dog chase her frisbee in and out of the pond, dropping it at the feet of any person stopping to marvel at the sheer excitement this dog exudes. And there, in the mud, Travis knelt and said, "Honey, I think I'm ready..."
The engagement wasn't a total surprise; we had bought the ring weeks before on our travels through Milan. I just didn't know when I'd see it again. He said he couldn't handle the pressure of holding on to it any longer, what if something happened to it? Now that's something I get to worry about.
Picking out the ring, however, was a surprise. While taking in the city, we passed a jewelry store that had an eclectic display of vintage and new rings. He told me to pick one out. I'm not sure if I gasped, or if my eyes lit up, but I do recall the butterflies that were fluttering about in my stomach and in my heart.
"Well that one is kind of pretty...or that one...or that one..."
Travis suggested we head back to the hotel to grab his debit card before going in. It was half-past four. "There is a chance the store won't be open when we get back...it's almost five." I mentioned.
"Well, we'll take that as a sign." He said.
I remember walking hurriedly back to the hotel, trying to seem nonchalant at the very thought of buying a ring, becoming engaged...On the way back down from the room, we ran into a fellow study-abroad student, Ryan. He wanted to chit-chat. I tried to be polite as possible while thinking "Come on! My future depends on this! Let's chat over continental breakfast!"
We returned back to the store, and it was open. This was before Travis and I realized that EVERYTHING stays open a little later than we're used to, because they've already taken two to three hours for siesta in the afternoon. We went inside and I tried on a few different rings, all pretty, but nothing that truly struck me as "the one". Until...
The One, of course! A vintage pearl, and it fit perfectly! That was it. I think I stopped breathing at that moment. We paid and they wrapped it for us and we were on our way. Out the door, I couldn't stop giggling as we walked along. We bought some champagne and snacks and went back to the hotel room to celebrate over a game of travel Scrabble. I couldn't stop gazing at my future husband, my companion for life. Who knew?
I asked him that very question and he said he did. And it was what he had wished for a week earlier when he threw a euro coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome. To find the perfect ring for his perfect lady.
Three weeks later and it's Sunday in the park. Engaged and never happier.
