Getting Engaged

Time: Just after midnight, 01 January 2008

Place: Pura Vida Resort, Dumaguete

Situation: We had just finished diving, and John was suffering from a really bad ear infection.

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John and I got engaged... TWICE.... on new year's day.

After all the hints about John's "Christmas present", he finally managed to propose a little after midnight on New Year's Day. He was, of course, bleary with pain... possibly bordering on delusional. I felt the box in his pocket just before New Year's dinner... and spent the next few hours in agonized suspense. The barely veiled hints and twinkling in his eyes didn't help either... so every time there was a break in the conversation... I would hold my breath. 

To help him along, after dinner, I asked if we could take a walk down the beach (wow! what a romantic setting!!!!)... and he offered me his slippers so I wouldn't have to battle with the little pebbles protruding from the sand. Every few meters, he would stop... and my heart would beat wildly enough for anyone to hear... Then he'd continue on.... the suspense was killing me.

It was a long wait between 10 pm and midnight, so we decided to take a short nap in preparation for midnight. We woke up at 11:30 pm, and John was in so much pain because of his ear infection. He managed to smile albeit weakly through the countdown, but couldn't stand much else after that. At this point, I was seriously worried about his ear because his discomfort was so evident. I guess he thought I was disappointed with the evening so he asked if we could turn in for the night.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed praying that John would get better the next day so he could enjoy Dumaguete, when John stood in front of me. He apologized that the evening didn't turn out like we both thought it might, but if it would make things better, he had a little present he was waiting to give me. John got down on one knee and presented me the box that was in pocket and asked me quite simply if I would marry him. 

Of course, I was completely thrilled... although it was a bit worrying to see him cringe when he proposed. I'm hoping that was from the ear infection and not from the thought of marrying me ;).  I called my parents to tell them the good news and John talked to my mom for a little bit. She said she wished she was there to see it and that they're both happy for us. John called his parents after that to tell them that I've accepted his proposal. Cheers all around.

We decided to rest after that and John spent the rest of the night tossing and turning from the pain. So in the morning I thought it might be best if he would ask me again at another time when we could both enjoy the moment. John thought I had changed my mind so he wasn't too happy with that suggestion. He told me that he had envisioned proposing at the stroke of midnight on new years for a few months now, and it all got dashed by the infection. I explained to him that it might actually be the Chua family tradition for guys to ask twice. I shared with him the story about how my dad proposed to my mom**... and that with all the stories I've heard, if ours turned out to be too perfect it would have been a boring story to tell. At least when we look back, we can laugh about the situations we found ourselves in. 

We flew home a day early (after practically begging Air Philippines to let us on the plane <- we got the last two seats) and went straight to the emergency room. John got medical attention and temporary relief from what is often described as the worst physical pain on EARth.  We rested a bit more and then invited the family out for dinner at Sentro (my favorite Filipino restaurant) 

I guess John was determined to keep the January 1 date... so he proposed again that evening in front of my family. He convinced one of the waiters to deliver the ring to me. Good thing I didn't think about screaming yes and hugging the waiter. It was a tempting joke....  

He knelt down, obviously uncomfortable since the entire restaurant seemed to be looking at us at this point, and as me to marry him (again). My mom got all sentimental, and Ching and John V. were taking photos, dad was taking photos also for a bit before asking if we could start with dinner already. The couple seated at the next table moved about three tables away from us (we all think it's because the girl was gushing and the guy felt trapped between a rock and hard place.) 

Dad announced our engagement the next day at the staff meeting and everyone cheered quite loudly. They seem to be very, very happy that we've officially decide to get married (at some point in the future). 

The ring was quite beautiful. My ex-boyfriend-now-fiancee-soon-to-be-husband has impeccable taste. He told me that he went through catalogs and catalogs of rings just to find the perfect one. He was quite specific about what he wanted too. It's a double banded ring (one white gold and one yellow gold) with one diamond embedded in each band. John said he wanted a modern looking ring that was simple and two toned so it would go with everything I wear, he wanted the diamonds embedded so they don't get snagged when I work. John brought the ring home to exchange it for a smaller one since he doesn't quite like the idea of wedding or engagement rings being resized. 

It feels quite wonderful and I am so lucky to be loved by someone who takes the time, goes through great lengths and endures indescribable pain just to show me how much I mean to him.  It is quite a thing to be proposed to TWICE in one day. At least I know he does love me, and he can be quite persistent about it too. ;) 

We will keep you updated on the progress of our relationship. :) 

See you soon.

Much love,

Kathy

** When dad proposed to mom, he convinced the cook at their favorite restaurant put a note in a Pan de San Isidro (like a cordon bleu) . He ask his driver to deliver the dish to my mom hoping she'd discover the note and be completely overjoyed. Mom knew that my dad liked that dish too and since she couldn't finish a whole piece, thought to share half with my dad. Unfortunately, the half that she sent to my dad was the part with the note in it. Dad was quite upset but realized that there was no way she could've known. He asked again eventually... and you know how that story went.