I Love This Woman
Twenty years ago this Christmas, I got engaged to California Girl. I bought her engagement ring at a jewelry store in the mall. And I gave it to her the day after Christmas on the couch at my parent’s house. The only one that saw the ring before hand was my sister.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of our engagement, I bought her an anniversary ring at a jewelry store in the mall. And I gave it to her the day after Christmas on the couch at our house. This time, the only one that saw the ring before hand was The Girl.
I had been practicing my “speech” for days but shortly before I gave it to her I ripped it up and made a new one. I’m not good with speeches anyway and the one that I had been working on seemed too formal and too “practiced”. I finally said something like this:
Well. It was 20 years ago that I produced the gem and asked “So, what do you think?” So, I thought that today on the anniversary of our engagement that I’d have another gem (actually 10 if them) and a statement rather than a question. I’m not real good with speeches but I want for you to know that the last 22 have been irreplaceable. And, although we have had our ups and downs, I am very glad that we have found each other. You are an incomparable woman that I really don’t deserve. But, here we are in our new house with two wonderful children. And I still look forward to waking up next to you each day. “So, what do you think about another 20 years?”
That’s not quite how it went but those were the basic thoughts. I did really conclude with “So, what do you think about another 20 years?” That’s because things got started, all those years ago with “So, what do you think?” I probably too sentimental, but I had too do everything just like I did then. I even wrapped it up in a shoe box just like before.
So here’s a picture of California Girl’s new ring. It’s the one at the top.
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Comments
Comment from renee
Time December 26, 2005 at 9:20 pm
how sweet! what a wonderful and memorable christmas! i don’t think anyone can really be too sentimental. i hope we’re as loving and happy as you two are in 19 years.
Comment from Redheadeditor
Time December 26, 2005 at 9:37 pm
I am living vicariously. My 26th wedding anniversary is Thursday, and I don’t think my husband has ever gotten me a gift, let alone something that romantic. CG is a very lucky woman, but I bet MCB would say he’s luckier!
Comment from Kelly
Time December 26, 2005 at 10:21 pm
Nice speach..perfect ring..and I can imagine a happy Christmas was had by all at your home!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Comment from Fred
Time December 27, 2005 at 2:48 pm
Congrats! It’s a beautiful gift you gave your wife.
Comment from femimommy
Time December 27, 2005 at 4:48 pm
AWWW!!! that is too damn sweet for whatever words i could put here - congrats and you two are just beautiful
Comment from txsm
Time December 27, 2005 at 9:47 pm
You did good! And I bet you got yourself more than a kiss and a hug!LOL! Gomer got me an ring just like that for our 5th anniversary of meeting each other, which is April 28. We just had our 15th wedding anniversary, and I’ve been hinting around that he has until our 20th to get me the ‘Past, Present, and Future’ ring I’ve been eyeing for some time now!!!!!
Again, you did real good, maybe my Gomer will come up with something as sweet when our 20th comes around. Hopefully it won’t be the same as when he asked, we were at a stop sign and had just had a fight, he threw me the ring in the box and said, “There, you happy?” We laugh about it now.
Comment from Jessica/redneck eskimo
Time December 27, 2005 at 11:52 pm
That was so sweet! I almost had a tear! Ya’ll are such a beautiful couple. The beauty is way more than physical…
Comment from Midwestern City Boy
Time December 28, 2005 at 3:26 am
Rosie: Thank you. It was a great gift for California girl because it was a complete surprise.
Renee: I think you and Derek are off to a good start. Being able to have fun with each other is important. Keeping things fresh and exciting is a big ingredient of a loving and happy marriage.
Redheadeditor: You have to be doing something right to stay married 26 years. It’s hard to stay married. Congratulations on your upcoming 26th anniversary.
Kelly: California Girl loved the speech and the ring. I was very glad she did not figure out what I had planed. I’m pretty predictable since I’m so sentimental. The kids had a good Christmas too; especially the girl with her new flip phone.
Fred: Thanks. I’d been planning on doing it for a while. I’m just glad I found a ring I liked that I could afford.
Femimommy: Thank you. I was really glad that California Girl liked the ring. I wanted to surprise her but I wasn’t sure if the would like that particular style. I picked it out by myself just like her diamond engagement ring. I know it’s better if you go to the store together but I think the moment loses something if it’s not a complete surprise
Txsm: Yeah. There was some incredible sex afterwards, even for a Christmas vacation. California Girl wasn’t dropping any hints or any thing. It wasn’t even on her radar.
Congratulations on your recent 15th anniversary. “There, you happy?” is an interesting way to propose. You should post about it sometime.
Jessica: Thanks so much. California Girl and I have really been blessed. This has really been a Christmas to remember.
Comment from HIM
Time December 28, 2005 at 8:26 am
That is awesome!! Way to go go and we wish you 30-40 more years of marriage happiness. Just do us a favor and retire the HNT in 30 years or so.. hehehe
Comment from melanie
Time December 28, 2005 at 7:17 pm
That is so sweet. You are such a thoughtful man. And Happy Anniversary!
Comment from Midwestern City Boy
Time December 28, 2005 at 11:02 pm
HIM: Thanks. It was a good way to finish up our Christmas gift giving. And don’t worry. We’ll stop posting pictures long before we become member of the geriatric set.
Melanie: Thank You. I had been planning on giving California Girl an anniversary ring for a while. I glad everything worked out like I hoped.
Comment from Chickie
Time December 29, 2005 at 11:14 pm
What a lovely speech. And a pretty ring. You two make me smile!
Comment from Midwestern City Boy
Time December 30, 2005 at 8:07 pm
Chickie: Thanks. I think I agonized over the speech too much. It sounded better that I though it would when I said it. And California Girl really likes the ring. I was worried that she might not like the style. So, I guess I did OK.
Comment from Wenchy
Time January 3, 2006 at 7:00 pm
Ahhh that is wonderful!
I received a similar ring for a 32nd birthday from my husband Furzl. 
Comment from Midwestern City Boy
Time January 4, 2006 at 1:49 am
Wenchy: Thanks. I think a ring like that is an excellent token of how I feel about California Girl. Even now, after 22-years togather, she can still “light my fire” .
Comment from Rosie
Time December 26, 2005 at 6:49 pm
That is so lovely, and loving, and special. You two are wonderful. Congratulations.