January 2004

For that rare reader who hasn't yet been clued in to what has been happening in my life, here is a suitable summary of the last few months: work, work, sleep, work, talk on the phone to Kelly, work... with the occasional phone call to others and the occasional bit of food thrown in. Clearly, something had to happen.

And something did. I saw this really pretty diamond ring sitting in a store in Morden and I thought to myself, "Self, that is a really pretty diamond ring. Can we afford it?" and then Gollum said "It is my preciousssssssss." After all, the One Ring has to be from Mordor... I mean, Morden.

Actually, Gollum wasn't present, and so that dialogue just there is thoroughly imaginary. But let's just say I went into a jewellery shop more often in the last four months than I had in the previous 27 years. And I ended up considering and praying and thinking and wondering just what my relationship with Kelly was. At the end of the visit she paid me in October, I was convinced I was going to marry her.

Then life caught up with me and I was extraordinarily busy with little errands to run and this and that. But I did buy that ring which had caught my eye.

Eventually Christmas came, and with it, a visit to the sunny south of Baltimore, MD. Going from -5C to +10C the day I arrived was nice. Going back (+10 to -18) was not so nice. But I digress.

I arrived down there on the 26th, ring in tow... and I was nervous. On Saturday I asked Kelly's parents permission to marry her (which they blessedly gave) and then I waited for the opportune moment. In, around, and between all this Kelly and I spent a lot of time catching up with each other. Finally, on Sunday evening, we went out to the Outback Steakhouse and after a nice dinner and conversation I couldn't wait any longer... so I fumblingly pulled the ring out of my pocket and asked her to marry me. Suddenly the room lit up with her smile as she said yes and I slipped the ring on her finger. I doubt there were happier people in the city at that moment, let alone in the restaurant.

So the story begins. Perhaps it's not the most interesting of stories. There were no starbursts or marble hallways or anything like that. But since that day, Kelly and I have continued to talk a lot and share a lot and now we are making plans for the future, for our wedding on July 31, and just for the various transitions she is going through. She is the most excellent woman I have ever had the privilege of meeting, and the fact that she is willing to start a new life with me in Canada is something which constantly blows me away. I can truly say that I love her dearly... and that I am truly looking forward to our first Valentine's Day together.