My Good Fortune

Did y'all hear about this?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30011573/?GT1=43001

I read the article and thought about what a great story that would be to share with future children. And so, I thought I would share my engagement story with all of you (and for posterity)!

When Brandon I were dating, he was attending UVSC in Orem, Utah and living in an off-campus apartment with about 5 other guys. Their apartment was a total, utter disaster. The dishes in the sink were usually giving off a stench that said, "Wash me please! I've been in here for two weeks!" The dirty laundry on the floor told basically the same story. You get the idea.

Brandon and I had talked about marriage, but we weren't officially bethrothed. One of his roommates, Johnathan, was a quirky guy who liked to walk around the apartment practically naked except for a sock and cape. (That's another, very disturbing, story.) So when he told me that he wanted to cook a fancy Chinese dinner for Brandon and me, I wasn't too surprised. (After I saw him in the sock/cape getup, nothing could of surprised me about him.)

We set a date, and even decided to dress up for the occasion. On the evening of the dinner, Brandon drove to Sandy to pick me up and we drove back to Orem. I began to suspect that something was up. Here we were, both dressed up, planning to get married yet no ring yet...hmmmm. Could this be it, I wondered?

We got to the apartment and when we walked in, I was stunned. The place was sparkling clean. There was a fire going, music playing, and a beautiful table set with china and candles. Chinese food was simmering on the stove. No one else was around (fortunately, Naked Cape Man was just a set up). I immediately knew that yes, this was going to be it!


Our engagement photo, circa 2000-We look like babies!

We proceeded to sit down and eat the food (which had been purchased from a restaurant and dumped into pans), chattering nervously the whole time. At the end of the meal, Brandon asked me, "Aren't you going to eat your fortune cookie?"

I opened it, and inside the message read, "Will you marry me?" Brandon dropped down on one knee, professed his undying love, and pulled out a little black box with the most beautiful, diamond solitaire ring I had ever seen. Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!


One sad note: I didn't know it at the time, but Brandon's roommates had rigged up a video camera that was shooting in the corner the whole dinner and caught the whole proposal on tape. It even (embarassingly) included some post-proposal kissing, cuddling, and cooing. I was actually thrilled to have the tape to keep for all time and loved to watch it! Shortly after the engagement, I loaned it to my cousin who lived in the apartment next door. She returned it to the guy's apartment one day when Brandon was gone and it hasn' t been seen since! I think Brandon was secretly relieved to have proof of his lovey-dovey side disappear, but I feel remorse whenever I think about it.


I love proposals, and I cry each time I witness one on television, but I thought my proposal was perfect. I still smile whenever I see a fortune cookie!

Nothing Says Love Like a Knife

We had a low key, but great Valentine's Day weekend. Have I mentioned Brooke and Holly on this blog? Brooke was Brandon's neighbor and best friend growing up-and their parents have always been good friends. After they got married, Brooke and Holly moved to Ohio so we haven't really seen or heard from them in 9 years until they moved to Meridian in October. It has been so great having them here; they are practically like family and we do alot of things together. Anyway, Holly and I decided to plan a romantic meal for Brandon and Brooke that we had a few days before Valentine's Day.



Brooke and Holly

The four of us had chicken tortellini bake, a yummy winter salad, garlic bread, English Trifle for dessert and even sparkling cider! It was fun to eat by candlelight and use a tablecloth like grownups.






Unfortunately, not all of us acted like one.



That's Brandon nose peeking out of the side!



On Valentine's Day, we went to a Fondue Party given by our friends Stoney and Emilee. I made Cheddar-Bacon Fondue to dip bread and veggies in, and we had a chocolate fondue for fruit, pretzels, cake and marshmallows. Fondue is fantastically fancy fru-fru fun. (How's that for alliteration?) Not to mention extremely delicious and romantic.





Brandon's gift from me was a large batch of his much beloved favorite cookie, Soft Gingersnaps. I surprised him by leaving a basket of goodness in his car at work.




He surprised me with some roses, a new banana hanger (how's that for random?), and some fancy chef's knives! I was thrilled about these because I have had the dullest knives imaginable for years. (Might this be related to the fact that on more than one occasion I have caught Brandon pruning bushes with them in the yard?) Anyway, it was a very thoughtful gift because I mentioned to him in passing a few months ago that I really just wanted one or two good quality, sharp chef's knives for cooking and that I didn't need a whole butcher block. He remembered this and delivered on it like the good husband that he is.



I must say that cutting up sweet potatoes tonight for dinner was very exciting (and much easier than it used to be.) And Brandon, repeat after me: I will not use the knives for hunting, yard work or working in the garage. On second thought, just leave them alone and leave the slicing and dicing to me.