I'm watching the Family Stone and Clare Daines just had her sister's engagement ring put on her finger.  It made me think about when Robert 'proposed' to me.  It was actually quite a funny situation that occured.  We had talked about it sometime in early Dec, and Robert just was like, "Lets get married tomorrow".  We were driving to get something to eat for dinner and it just came pretty much OUT OF THE BLUE.  I was upset about how it went down b/c it wasn't what I had imagined.  So, that was the end of that 'proposal'.  Then, we were stuck in Vegas for 23-24 Dec.  I brought it up, while drunk, that we should get married by an Elvis impersonator.  His whole thing was he would only get married in Vegas if the real Elvis could marry us.  So, my idea was than shot down.  Then, a few days after getting back from Texas, I was working out and everything became clear as day.  Robert was who I was suppose to be w/; everything that had happened to me in the past two years was leading me to Robert and what we were suppose to have.  I didn't want to be w/anyone else.  And let me tell you; this workout was AMAZING!  I knew that Robert was my life.  I didn't want to be w/anyone else.  So, luckily, Robert had the day off and he was already home when I got there.  I sat in his lap and I discussed w/him what I wanted.  I had it all planned out; up until he left.  He asked for some details and that was it.  We had a date set for 19 Jan; right under two weeks.

That following weekend, Robert had duty and I went out to buy his ring.  It's a gorgeous ring (for a guy, of course).  I could've bought all three rings (his, my engagement and wedding ring), but I wanted him to buy my ring; him pick something out that he thought suited me.  A few days before our wedding, I think four, he finally bought my ring.  We went out to Pinky's for dinner, somewhere we hadn't been ever.  We had driven for about 30 minutes from the store to the restuarant.  I wasn't sure how "it was going to go down".  But, it was beautiful.  I had a glass of wine, Robert a beer and we had finished our most of our dinner, when  he was like, "Well, I guess I better make this a sure thing" and put it on my finger.  And the way I felt, w/him looking into my eyes and feeling that band go around my finger, I had never felt such a surge of emotions all at once.  But, at the same time, everything was at peace for those few seconds.  I wasn't worrying about bills, I wasn't worrying about work; nothing, I was at peace.  It was just amazing.

That was a little more than nine months ago.  I still love my husband just as much as I did during that one workout as I do now.  I kept getting told I'm an amazing woman for standing by his side, believing he didn't do anything wrong, but at the end of the nite, love conquers all.  And we LOVE each other.  I know that we'll be ok.  The times will be rough, but we'll be going to bed together, once this is all done and said, and we'll be able to be husand and wife; not just titles on paper or 'semi' play the part.

Love does conquer all.  I'll always believe that.  And life has a funny way of making sure things work out. 

Everyone, take care, later dayz and better layz.

-Maria