Do tell, do tell....

This is for Squire (*big hugs to you sweetie*) (and other inquiring minds)....

The good news.

Yes.

I am engaged.

To Erin.

The story of how we met may have been documented on here - perhaps not....

We met through my ex-husband (yes it's all quite bizarre). I had been asked to take him to a gamers picnic (and before you go labeling Erin a typical gamer, just stop, he actually exercises and does way more than just role-play/roll-play).

At any rate, my ex asked for a lift to the picnic which was held next to the zoo - so since I had not been at the zoo for a coon's age I decided it would not do any harm to give him a lift and then go check out the zoo.

when we arrived, however and I went to 'dump' him - he asked me to stay - he said I might make some new friends.

Now, my idea about gamers (and I am sorry here I don't mean to insult any geeks in the audience), is that I just don't have much in common and frankly I get bored out of my skull around them when it comes to 'gaming'.

However this was/seemed to be a different sort of crowd.

When we arrived there was a 'hottie' who was trying to hang a sign indicating that the picnic was being held there. I had seen him the year before. His name was Erin (but I did not know his name back then). He was very cute and very charismatic.

I was introduced to him briefly, and then met the other attendees. It was a good group of people, interesting. We discussed the Amish lifestyle, flaming anorexic squirrels and all manner of OTHER topics (life, marriage, divorce, spirituality, Yoga). I was seated next to another man who had me laughing most of the day. He was pretty attractive. Every now and then, though, I'd catch Erin looking at me and there was this 'electricity' I am not sure how else to describe it...

The day wore on and Erin convinced me to participate in some games - card games - it was a blast and he was a wonderful teacher. I laughed more and really enjoyed the banter and playing with the group.

At the end of the day, I gave both Erin and the other man my phone number - IN FRONT OF MY EX. No, I did not do this to make him angry - I simply did not care. I was not with him anymore and I decided to try to use this as a way to perhaps get to know some funny, articulate, intelligent men sans the internet crap. Perhaps it was insensitive of me and wrong but quite frankly, he's the one who insisted I go and then subsequently stay to 'meet new people' be careful what you wish for I guess...(you have to admit the irony of the whole thing is delicious).

Erin called me the next day. He inquired as to my relationship with my ex and we talked I think for over an hour. It was a wonderful conversation (as are ALL of our conversations).

There was going to be a gaming convention the following weekend down in Columbus. Again, I was doing my ex a favour by taking him down there cause the guy that was suppose to go was backing out and the room was paid for. Since my ex was going to be running games, and since he knew that I was having a very hard time with my son at that juncture and needed a break, plus he offered to pay my way - so I did not see the harm. I mean we were at this point amicable with each other - sure it was a weird situation but it was tolerable. So Erin found out I would be in Columbus and we talked about meeting up while down there. He was 'boycotting' the convention but had friends to be there with. He knew the area well and wanted to 'be my tour guide'.

We met up and had a day-long date. I have not had this much fun on a date ever. I have never felt so close to a total stranger in my entire life. It was a magical day. Literally. I think I fell in love with him that day. We had a blast and I will never forget that 'date' for as long as I live.

I ended up being stuck with my ex the entire evening but then the next day (which was a Sunday), Erin and I got together for dinner. We brought each other a little gift and we connected on so many levels at dinner and then afterwards at his place (no it's NOT what you are thinking). He felt natural to me. We flowed together. There was no struggle to try to talk or communicate and he fascinated me.

We have been 'dating' ever since. We've grown so close so quickly.

Over the holidays we talk about marriage (we had touched on the subject before this). But the night we went to my brothers together for our family holiday dinner we sat down and talked at my place afterwards. He opened up his heart and asked me to marry him.

He was so sweet and so sincere. I was honoured and scared to death. I told him I needed to think about it a bit, meditate and pray on things.

I didn't take long to accept.

This past weekend I had told him I feel like this is all a dream - and I suppose he decided to make it more 'real'. I often feel I am in a dream when it comes to the wonder/beauty/healthiness of this relationship - that I am going to wake up and he's going to have vanished or things will have changed.

We were at the mall and we were shopping together and he took me into 'his' jewelers. He bought me a bracelet for Christmas and it was gorgeous (he has exquisite taste). So we went in and he told the sales girl we were looking for an engagement ring. She began to show me rings but nothing appealed to me really. There was one but I think Erin would have had to sell one of the kids to buy it. *laughs* She showed us a case where some of the rings had been put on clearance and I picked one and then Erin spotted one. Now mind you I don't know what has happened to women's ring sizes. My 'ring finger' is a size 5. All of the rings I tried on did not fit me well at all and perhaps that was why nothing appealed to me....
But when Erin asked her to take the one out of the case and I tried it on it fit me very well. The ring is very pretty - very me.

We went back over to the other case and saw a couple more things and then he said. 'I think this is your ring dear'. The sales girl talked with him about the 'terms' and he agreed. I stopped him. 'Erin I thought we were just looking'. He said: 'Are you serious about doing this?' I answered: 'Yes'. And he said: 'Well so am I'. All of this in front of the sales girl. He told her to go ahead and ring up the ring *giggles* (sorry yeah I've been kind of giddy with all of this).

So there you have it. The details (well not ALL of them). He got down on one knee once at his place and asked me again and I said yes again and I will continue to say yes to him for all my days to come.

We don't have a date, there is much to be worked on (more details, logistics), but I am ecstatic, very much in love, and very honoured to be with this wonderful man. I am indeed a happy woman and god willing this will be one of the greatest 'adventures' of my life.