[hot_pastrami]

Well, I'm now engaged to be married. It happened last Saturday.

I took her to our favorite Italian restaurant, and we ate some unspeakably good genuine Italian food. I took her there on a Saturday because a highly talented tenor is on hand on weekend evenings, and I had him sing a romantic selection from an opera at our table as we finished off our dessert.

I paid, we walked outside, and my intent was to ask her right there in the ambient light on the sidewalk out front, while the romantic mood was still perfect. However, often go awry the well-laid plans of mice and men.

"Hold up a second," I asked as I noticed how quickly she was walking toward the car. She tossed back a comment on how she was freezing, and quickened her pace even more yet. I lengthened my stride to catch up to her, where I opened her car door and let her in. I had to decide whether to try to salvage the attempt or to wait for another time... so I knelt down beside the car with the door open.

"Listen," I began, as she wore a curious expression, "What do you say..." and I reached into my pocket and produced the ring, "...you and I get married?" What a smile. And a"Yes." I guess I didn't totally screw it up.

Just wanted to share! Life is good.