Not to give away the ending, but I said yes.

I'm engaged.

Sorry it's taken me so long to post it. I just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings who felt that they deserved personal contact before I just spilled it to the web. So, sorry if you're only finding out now. The truth of the matter is that Murray and I have been so open about the fact that we're getting married (on November 3rd) that it seemed kindof silly to "announce" it to friends and family after pretty much everyone already knew.

But enough about that. Let's get back to the fact that I'm engaged.

You'll probably all want to know how it happened. Well, Murray and I headed out to Maryland along with all my other siblings. We drove straight from the airport to Ocean City, New Jersey, and Murray was subjected to intense, non-stop family exposure for the next five days. He needed to get to know my parents really well so that 1) they could know he was a good guy, and 2) my dad would give him his blessing when Murray asked for it.

After two days in Ocean City, we headed back to Columbia, Maryland where I was able to show Murray around my parents' home. He even got to participate in a real crab feast.

When things were quiet after church on Sunday, Murray and my dad conspicuously disappeared for a walk around the neighborhood.

And when they got back, Murray found himself, once more, surrounded by friends and family. A cousin and his wife came by for a game of Cranium. Drs. Rogers Rice and Gibbianton came for dinner and a game of Cranium. And then someone suggested we go to Baltimore Inner Harbor for a walk and Rogers Rice joined the whole clan for that excursion, too (she was around when Murray and I started dating, so it only seemed appropriate for her to be around when we took it to the next level).

At the Inner Harbor, Murray leaned over and said, "I'd kindof like to break away from the group if you think we could do that without being rude." Of course, since everyone would know what we were doing anyway, no one would think it rude. So when the family stopped to watch a really lame street performer, I told my mom that we were just going to run ahead.

We walked around, both knowing that we were walking toward the Next Phase of our lives, and only needed to figure out exactly where we were going to make that transition. We even talked about it. Murray made a couple of remarks like, "It feels kindof surreal, knowing that we're walking to a major moment in our lives that we're going to remember forever... and figuring out where to do it" and "See? We have an equal partnership! We're both working to decide where it should be done!"

Everything was beautiful. It was getting dark and the whole harbor was lit up with lights. It was also a very busy place. We walked toward the aquarium where things began to get a little quieter, a little more peaceful. We found some quiet benches overlooking the harbor and I sat down on a bench (under the neon waves in that last picture) and Murray got down on one knee.

After telling me a few things that were heartfelt (and perfect) he asked if I would marry him. And he pulled out the ring he had in his pocket. And I said yes.

30 comments:

Mrs. Hass-Bark said...

Congratulations! You're getting married! On my birthday! That must be good.

erin said...

That's so exciting. Congratulations to you!!!

Claire said...

Wow, congrats!

cropstar said...

congrats! happy for you both!

Petra said...

Hooray! I am delighted.

The Holyoaks said...

I like this guy. Not that you need my approval but he sounds pretty great. So excited for you!

ambrosia ananas said...

Awww. Congratulations.

natali said...

its seems like just yesterday we were blog double dating together and now this! i am a lucky double date. also nov. 3 is my birthday so maybe i will pretend all the wedding cake is birthday cake. i have a poor relationship with the truth so it shouldnt be too hard.

alishka babushka said...

hurray! that is super exciting! i was hoping it would happen soon! i've followed your blog for a while now, and i am super happy for you. November 3rd will be a good day!

MTDA said...

I have to say, I am still so amazingly happy this most incredible of women answered in the affirmative when I asked her...the bug question........I mean the BIG question, not the "bug question" Will you be my beetle? I need to look at my fingers more when I type....

Anyway I love her very much and I am so excited for our life together.....thanks from me for all your love and support.

Anonymous said...

Awwwwwwww! I damn near cried reading it so I bet it was even better in real life!!! Félicitations !

kjane said...

Congratulations Cicada!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! I'm so excited for you! The pics your mom sent of you and Murray are really nice. I don't know if you noticed, but you're really glowing in them. You guys are a great couple and Ootsie was right, Murray has beautiful eyes.

Nemesis said...

Yipee for things being official! I am so very excited. I mean, you know all this, but I didn't want to NOT leave a comment on your blog when it's, like, the most important post you've ever done. :-)

Aoi Sakura said...

Congrats! I'm so happy for you! (And you don't even know me! XD)

I've been reading your blog for a while, and I was so excited after reading this last post, I decided to comment. :)

gumball said...

Huzzah!

(This blog article was my first exposure to the big news, but it's just a delightful mild surprise.)

i i eee said...

CONGRATS!!! Yay!!!

Holly said...

I found your blog through a friend and check back occasionally (sorry to be creepy, I just love what you've done with illustrator). I wanted to wish you congratulations and best of luck and all happiness with the wonderful life (with the wonderful guy) ahead of you.

Wow, that sounded really cheesy.

Natalie Gordon said...

Yay!!!

Th. said...

.

Very nice.

Congratulations.

Carina said...

Hooray for you both!

Cicada said...

Thanks to everyone for all the congratulations! It's a pretty exciting time for sure. And thanks to all the lurkers who are commenting. I'm marrying a lurker, so I naturally have an affinity for you all.

Kristeee said...

Congrats! Keep us updated on the fun plans!

Christina said...

I notice there is still no 'ring' picture. Any day now...

Katya said...

Hooray! (I wrote Melyngoch to tell her too, btw.)

Katie Richins said...

I guess I'm another lurker saying congratulations! What happy, happy news!

Unknown said...

Congrats, Cicada!

Nectar said...

Congratulazioni! Spero che voi abiterete insieme per eternità e prospererete.

Snow Whiteley said...

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Another lurker here :)
I just wanted to say YAHOO and CONGRATS! Being married is great but being married to your best friend in the whole world is AWESOME!!!