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EEngagement Rings
Its been thirteen years since he last shopped for an engagement ring. It's not something you really plan to do again that first time, it's certainly not something he ever will do again. Ok, not going there with the thoughts.
ThenNow
Not nervous about the question, or the answer. It's been discussed and planned, it is expected.
Nervous. About the question and the answer. Not the love or the commitment. That has been tested too many times and stood up, it is robust. But they don't discuss this, not really, they skirt and tiptoe around it. But he wants it, he is the marrying kind, and she is his girl.. so he is willing to risk the asking. And for some reason he knows, not to discuss, not to plan. If it will happen, it just needs to become.
Nervous about the ring choice. Not that he has much say in the choice, but that he gets the selection right. He was too embarrassed to bring the horde of clippings, hints and reminders with him, but he is pretty sure he has memorised the specifications. He doesn't understand why she won't come with him to pick it out. Some charade of maintaining surprise. But he wants this, to be married, to her. If this is what she wants, then so be it. God he hopes he picks the right ring, he will never hear the end of it otherwise.
Not nervous about the ring choice. He is pretty sure that she would be happy with half of the rings in this store. It's a given that the gaudy and ostentatious are out. But the remainder. Well he figures if she is going to be happy to wear his engagement ring, she will be happy with whatever he picks out, because it from him. So, not nervous. Careful though, to get it right, to do her justice to somehow in a piece of white gold and diamond to reflect her and them, if it's possible.
He knows it when he see's it. It's the perfect amalgamation of the two clippings that have the triple exclamation marks. His nerves about the ring choice start to fade, now he just hopes it is the right price. What is it they say 2.5 month salary worth. He can't help think of the car he could buy with that, but she is worth it, right?
He knows it when he sees it. Just as he is about to give up searching for the perfect ring when he had no concept of what that perfection would be. It's simple, but not plain, shiny, but not too bright and when the assistant turns it this way and that under the light surprising reflections are caught in the unusual cut, little flashes and glimpses of sparkle and beauty that flick on and off. Subtle and flamboyant. This time he doesn't enquire about price, but as he goes to sign the receipt his brow momentarily furrows in disappointment. Surely this on should be more expensive than the last. He opens the box again to check, but despite the non-exuberant price, this is the best ring for her, right!
He hands the assistant the card she had slipped into his wallet a few months earlier, detailing her size and preferred inscription.
He digs in his pocket and pulls out a ziplock bag from where he removes a piece of wool tied in a tiny circle. It took weeks of attempts, of trickery, finally one night she fell asleep on the couch with the blanket Izzie had knitted over her knees. He had grabbed his chance. He hands it to the assistant and she smiles sweetly at him. She asks if he wants it inscribed, he nods and she hands him a pen "I've been in love with you forever" he writes.
He had to hand it to her she had great taste. The ring was stunning, it looked awesome on her hand, and it sure got noticed. It made him feel, well proud, when she received compliments. He did wonder though if she would get a cramp from carrying her hand at that angle all the time.
It fits her tiny fingers well. It looks at home on her hand. Most of the time it is unobtrusive and just pretty, then she will make a movement and the light will catch it and sparkle. It makes him happy every time he spies it on her hand. He notices she carries her tote on her left shoulder now, with her ring finger splayed across the strap.