Our Engagement
Our disclaimer
Okay, so here is our obligatory engagement story. Really, you don't have to read this if you don't want to. We've decided to include it because it's something we're asked about quite a bit. And, of course, we found it all very romantic.
Preparations
We ordered matching engagement rings in the middle of June, and after we received them we set the upcoming Saturday night for our engagement ritual.
We had decided that we would each prepare part of the evening, which would leave some elements of surprise. Paul told Ann to dress warmly, and that we should make late dinner reservations.
Dinner and driving
We ate a nice Italian dinner at Cafe Milano, a restaurant in Emeryville just down the street from Ann's place. Afterwards, Paul drove to the next destination.
The conversation in the car went something like this:
Ann: Well, I think we know where we're going.
Paul: Oh, really?
(Paul turns on to I-80 West)
Ann: Oh, I guess not. But I think I know where we're going now.
Paul: Uh huh.
(Paul takes I-880/I-580 West split)
Ann: Hmmm. Well, maybe we're...
(Paul takes I-580 West)
Ann: Umm. Hey, where are we going?
(Paul gets off near Lake Merritt)
Okay, so here is our obligatory engagement story. Really, you don't have to read this if you don't want to. We've decided to include it because it's something we're asked about quite a bit. And, of course, we found it all very romantic.
Preparations
We ordered matching engagement rings in the middle of June, and after we received them we set the upcoming Saturday night for our engagement ritual.
We had decided that we would each prepare part of the evening, which would leave some elements of surprise. Paul told Ann to dress warmly, and that we should make late dinner reservations.
Dinner and driving
We ate a nice Italian dinner at Cafe Milano, a restaurant in Emeryville just down the street from Ann's place. Afterwards, Paul drove to the next destination.
The conversation in the car went something like this:
Ann: Well, I think we know where we're going.
Paul: Oh, really?
(Paul turns on to I-80 West)
Ann: Oh, I guess not. But I think I know where we're going now.
Paul: Uh huh.
(Paul takes I-880/I-580 West split)
Ann: Hmmm. Well, maybe we're...
(Paul takes I-580 West)
Ann: Umm. Hey, where are we going?
(Paul gets off near Lake Merritt)
At the lake
As we approached Lake Merritt, Ann said in jest something like, "What, are you taking me on a gondola ride?" Just then, we drove past the sign for Gondola Servicio for our 10pm appointment. Paul had brought along a basket with wine and chocolate and the gondolier sang love songs in Italian while he paddled us around for an hour. The pictures on the page are a little dark, but you should be able to make out the sides of the boat in them.
Our proposals
We decided not to propose in front of our gondolier, but instead returned to Ann's house to light some candles and propose to one another. We closed with prayer.
The next day
The following day we called family members to share our Good News. We took the ferry across the bay to Pac Bell Park where we watched the Giant's and A's game from row 6 behind third base (thanks to our friends Jim and Mandy).
As we approached Lake Merritt, Ann said in jest something like, "What, are you taking me on a gondola ride?" Just then, we drove past the sign for Gondola Servicio for our 10pm appointment. Paul had brought along a basket with wine and chocolate and the gondolier sang love songs in Italian while he paddled us around for an hour. The pictures on the page are a little dark, but you should be able to make out the sides of the boat in them.
Our proposals
We decided not to propose in front of our gondolier, but instead returned to Ann's house to light some candles and propose to one another. We closed with prayer.
The next day
The following day we called family members to share our Good News. We took the ferry across the bay to Pac Bell Park where we watched the Giant's and A's game from row 6 behind third base (thanks to our friends Jim and Mandy).