This past spring, we got engaged on the weekend of Rachel's birthday. I ran out at the last minute to get her a few small gifts, in addition to the ring she didn't know about. I told her not to expect much, and if she didn't like her gifts, we could return them. I had to keep her guessing. She always guesses what her gifts are and I wanted this to be a surprise.

We toasted her birthday with a nice bottle of champagne, using the glasses I bought her as a birthday present. I managed to take pictures of her opening her smaller gifts, eloquently citing, "We really need to take more pictures of birthdays and stuff." I figured she might guess if I didn't take pictures of her opening every present. I ended up shooting a whole roll of film. I am really glad I did, because the look on her face in the picture where she finds the box is priceless! It was a very memorable and fun weekend.

Sure, I knew it was coming. We had talked about it and even looked at rings together. But with the uncertainty surrounding our jobs, we agreed we shouldn't be making any expensive, unnecessary purchases anytime soon. I ruled out a ring for my birthday.

As we do, we planned a slew of activities around my birthday. We would be in Minneapolis for a wedding on Saturday. We would get a hotel room, a treat in itself, and spend Sunday at the Science Museum of Minnesota followed by a sushi dinner.

The wedding was fun. We sat with a nice couple that shared the story of their engagement and wedding. I guess wedding bells were in the air.

We left the wedding early to start my birthday weekend. After checking into the hotel, Jason opened the bottle of champagne he had brought to let it "breathe" as I opened my first birthday present. A beautiful set of cracked glass champagne flutes. How convenient, eh?

Next, I unwrapped a new tea set and matching sushi dishes. The final box was large but very light. "It is fragile," he warned me. So, I set to take out the packing peanuts a handful at a time. Finally, I unearthed a small white jewelry box. I was surprised. Jason isn't the type to buy jewelry. He must have been really hard up for ideas (as he claimed when he ran out shopping the night before). The thought crossed my mind that it might be a ring, but I dismissed it as wishful thinking.

When I opened the box, I was surprised and suddenly shy. I looked up at Jason, and he proposed. I didn't have to think before answering, "Yes."