By popular demand, I'm putting in writing how our engagement went down. And since I can't do anything quick or small, I decided to take up a tiny space on the web to create a small memory for myself and my "fiancé". Aaaaah! I'm still in shock.

Before I begin, I have to give a little background to give the full effect of my complete and utter shock. Thursday, September 20 was our 5-year anniversary so like any normal girl, I was looking forward to spending some quality time with my boyfriend. Turns out he had to do laundry instead. Hmmm, laundry huh? Initially I was crushed (an understatement) but my best friends kept reminding me that in just a few days we'd be spending a week together in San Diego, which is something we had planned for months, and to try and be understanding and give him time to get his life together before our getaway. This was all part of his master plan, and mind you, my friends had no idea what was about to go down, no one did.

So on top of all this, he was purposely being short with me. Mainly because he was running around planning things and buying things and having trouble with things and trying to throw me off since I'm a detective and nothing gets by me. So just to avoid giving me any kind of hint, he decided to act moody and crabby. This was the toughest for me to deal with and if it weren't for the greatest friends in the whole entire world, I may have flicked rubber bands at myself in the face. But to mine and everyone else's surprise, I somehow got through it all without getting mad at him or kicking him in the face or telling him to kick rocks.

And now the story begins...Tuesday, September 25 was like any other day. Work, gym, friends dinner at my house. I knew Steven would be heading over so that we could get an early start on our weekend getaway the next morning but I wasn't expecting him til later that evening. At about 8:30 he calls me to tell me the 405 and the 110 are backed up for miles and he's not sure when he'd get down to the valley and not to worry that he hadn't arrived yet. I hung up the phone content and continued conversations with my friends about boys, flowers and their own weddings, still oblivious to the events that were about to unfold.

Steven arrived around 10:00 and gave me the hugest hug known to man. He told me that he's sorry for being so crabby the last week and he missed me and thank you for being so understanding. Hah. I win. Anyway, I told him his apology was accepted and all I wanted was for him to acknowledge his poopy pants days. This is turning out waaaay longer than I expected. If you're still reading, thanks for being interested. We decided to exchange anniversary gifts right then and there since I couldn't wait to give him his gift and apparently my gift was burning a hole in his pocket. He insisted we opened our gifts separately so he went first. Then it was time for me to open mine and here's the goods. He presented me with this box that was pretty heavy and he told me I had to sit down to open it, and to be very careful with it.

I was really confused but intrigued as to what was inside and why I had to be so careful. Was it a pet? Was it china? Wtf? I opened the box as he kneeled down on one knee right beside me, which I did notice but only because I thought it was odd that he was hovering over me as I opened my gift. Usually he just lets me rip roar and sits back quietly as I squeal like a little school girl on Christmas morning. I opened the box and smiled because he's like me and pays attention to detail and always picks kick ass wrapping/tissue paper/boxes/bows.

I immediately start digging and get to the bottom to find a dictionary. Yep. A dictionary. Wait, I'm confused. I had to be careful with a dictionary? I don't get it. Maybe the dictionary is for our scrabble marathons when we want to challenge the others weird spelling of words we've never heard of? Meanwhile, he's still down on his knee with a cute little smile on his face. I know he's such a thoughtful person so I knew there had to be something fun up his sleeve. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what was coming next.

He tells me to open the book up to the bookmark he had strategically placed inside.

First off I notice the bookmark engraved with the words "May happiness flow through every door". Its glossy and has a keyhole. Hmmm, "where's the key and what does it unlock" I think to myself. I can't wait to find out!

I then notice at the bottom right hand corner he had highlighted a word - admire. He tells me to read it because its important for me to see. I immediately start feeling as though he himself wrote the very definition for me and only me. And I get all giddy because he sees me that way. And although he tells me he loves me all the time, its nice to have a small token of the way he feels for me.

He continues to tell me that theres another definition he wants me to read. Its a word that defines me, Alicia. At this point I can't wait to read the word he picked to define me as a person so I hurry and turn the pages to the next bookmark he set up. And then the waterworks...

OMG! OMG! Are you serious? WHAT is that? Is it real?? Is this real? Is this happening? What do I do. Still down on one knee he asked with tears in his eyes, "Will you marry me?" I was in shock. I just sat there crying, shaking. What? OMG! He again said "Will you be my wife?" It took all of my might to process the words that were coming out of his mouth. I've dreamed about this moment for a long time and here it is, here he is, right in front of me waiting for my response. Once I caught my breath I jumped into the arms of my husband-to-be and just kept saying "Yes, yes, yes!"

After about an hour of crying and laughing and calling those closest to me, (if I didn't call you sorry! it was 11pm!!), I started with the questions. Tell me everything, I said to him. Were you really doing laundry? Was work really that horrible last week? Were you really in traffic? Is your name really Steven Cortez? No, he wasn't doing laundry, he was out doing ring research and ring hunting. No, work wasn't bad it really was easy as pie and it was the hardest thing to keep from me but he had no other choice because like I said earlier, I'm somewhat of a detective and barely anything gets past me. No, he really wasn't in traffic, he was actually at my parents house sitting them down asking for their permission to marry their daughter. Yes, his name really is Steven Cortez but only because...well, that's just too long of a story. ; )

So, its official!! WE'RE ENGAGED!!! I'm so incredibly elated right now. I wake up every morning and look at my hand just to make sure this isn't a dream. Its so cliché to say this but I knew after our first "date" that I was going to marry him. And according to him, so did he. I don't know when, where, or how we're going to get married, I'm sure those discussions are to be had very soon. But I do know one thing, I cannot wait to marry my Steven Joseph Cortez!!!

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm obsessed with my ring! It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever set my eyes on and who knew a boy could do such a good job ring shopping! Here are a few more pics because I couldn't stop snapping...

Please excuse my chubby baby fat...I mean, adult fat fingers.