Engagement

So, I had been saving since late April or early May, putting my pennies aside. Finally last week, about Tuesday, I was able to make a purchase - an emerald and diamond engagement ring on a platinum setting. I had promised Sarah white gold - the difference in price delayed the engagement for a month, but I think it was worth it. Regardless, I had been prepping for a month to propose to Sarah in a complicated but (I think) awesome way. I was going to convince her we were going to tour the Sunsphere in Knoxville, but then, well, another opportunity appeared. Let me explain.

Sarah and I were on our way to the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, VA for a Patrick Henry Society dinner - a black-tie for donors and friends of Emory & Henry College. I had the ring hidden and in tow (I had picked it up that day) to show it to Trevor and my Dad. Sarah and I started talking about the wedding and I lamented that I didn't yet have enough money to purchase a ring yet. Sarah of course told me that she didn't care what the ring looked like or how much it cost, she just wanted to get engaged, and I was like, well. . . that doesn't matter. I have picked a ring out and by-God I'm going to get it to you. Remember, all of this is a lie, and the ring is less than a foot behind Sarah.

Sarah gets frustrated and, frankly, a little angry. By angry I might mean she didn't talk to me or look at me for the hour left in the drive to Abingdon. In that time I realized I was never going to get a better chance: not only is the Martha one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, but more to the point, when would I ever have Sarah more completely off-guard than in this instance. Well, I go into the hotel to check-in and get the front desk to order a dozen roses for me for immediate delivery. I get Sarah in the room, she cleans up, then she sees a note on a table in the room:

Sarah Marie, will you marry me?

Her response was poetic:

ERIC DRUMMOND SMITH, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?

I got down on one knee and proposed formally. She cried and smiled and laughed and said:

Of course I'll marry you!

There were other permutations, but there it is. That night we went to the dinner with my family then hit the Martha's Presidents' Club with Dad, Karen, Trevor and several old friends from Emory. There were champagne toasts and numerous hugs.

True story.