Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Kryptonite

It has been said: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Man’s best friend is a dog. Nice. I want to get a dog and name her Diamond.

It was Christmas Eve, 1991 when I asked Julianna to marry me. I had spent all the money I had, emptying my savings account to buy her a Diamond Ring. I can’t even begin to describe my feelings of elation as I went on my hunt for the best ring I could afford.

I found a simple, yet elegant, beautiful, nearly flawless ½ karat diamond set in white gold. Perfect. Not to mention, a 75% off sale affording me 4 times the ring my budget would permit. I was only 18 at the time. I didn’t have a giant vault filled with gold coins to swim in like Scrooge MacDuck. What a find!

It was that year that I truly learned the joy of giving. My heart was jocund and sublime the whole holiday season, anxious to give her my gift and make my proposal. I still occasionally look at her left hand, the exhibit of my love and commitment to her, and get that same blissful feeling inside. Even as I write this it takes me back to that euphoric evening, giving me an endorphin rush.

I was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the time. She flew down from North Tonawanda, NY for a week or so. That night we were at some Christmas party in the city, friends of my parents I suppose. Mom & Dad knew my intentions for later that evening but they didn’t let on. I like to tell myself Juli was unaware of my plan.

Around 10pm we left the party. It was a cold, clear, starry skied night. I drove her to this small church perched atop a hill overlooking much of the town below. We sat there awhile as I worked up my nerve to bespeak my request. She was saying something as I’m sure I mechanically nodded and made affirming sounds.

I felt my heart thumping in my chest and my body weaken as I pulled out this tiny piece of Kryptonite and proposed. We kissed. My anxiety melded into jubilation. She said yes!

What a great night. It had gone perfectly. I didn’t ride in on a white stallion or post the question on the side of the Good Year Blimp, but still, the moment was perf…KNOCK, KNOCK!

What was that?

To our surprise it was a police officer tapping his flashlight on Juli’s window. “Everything all right in there?” he inquired. Now what on earth did he think was going on? Two young people, parked in a car at “Inspiration point” around 11pm. Well I guess that was his job, you know, being a church parking lot and all.

But it didn’t matter. We moved along. It was still a perfect night.

She wears my diamond.