Lies, Deception and Betrayal: My Proposal to Calie Eck

By December 23, 2013 Life One Comment

Sounds really romantic, right? A great way to start the rest of our lives together!

However…

grown ups need to lie

If I didn’t bend the truth and keep a few minor details to myself, it would have ruined the whole surprise.

But now that its all said and done, and I got the answer I was hoping for, I can finally get it all off my chest.

I had NO IDEA what to get you!

Yes, it all started because I had no idea what to get you for Christmas! We’ve been together for over 4 years now, and I’ve tried to make sure that every present I’ve given you was special. Even when I wasn’t making much and taking care of my dad and/or grandma, I tried to do my best with what I had.

I’ve made you art, bought flowers, expensive jewelry and even surprised you with a puppy when you came home from Sweden. While every present hasn’t been a home run, they all came from the heart.

And because I couldn’t think of anything truly meaningful to give you this Christmas, I thought I might as well man up and get you what every little girl dreams of…the perfect engagement ring.

To be honest, after this, I hope you don’t expect much out of me because I’m completely wiped now.

The Perfect Opportunity

After your grandma passed away and you brought home one of her rings, I knew I had to have it. She mean’t so much to you and I wanted to honor her. So only after a couple days of it sitting on the dresser, I stole it and put it in my sock drawer for safe keeping. Luckily, you never noticed.

After that, it was another gut check for me personally, asking your parents. Not only for permission to marry you, but so I could potentially get your mom’s diamond that you had told me about (see…I listen!). Your mom wasn’t going to be a big deal, but your dad on the other hand, I had no idea how he would react to the news of me stealing his only daughter away from him.

Thankfully, both your parents gave their blessings. Your mom was so funny. She was talking a mile a minute and seemed like she was ready to hand over the house to make this happen. And your dad…he even teared up on the phone with me, which almost made me cry.

I know how much you love your family and I now had diamonds from both your mom and your grandma I could use in the ring. Yet, by saying yes, you would be becoming part of my family as well (as small as it may be).

So after talking with my mom, she was able to dig up an old ring of hers along with my grandma’s wedding ring.

I DON’T WANNA GO!

I may or may not have thrown a little fit trying not to sit through another wedding ceremony, but it was for a good reason, I SWEAR! When you were getting all dolled up and standing aside the alter, I took the recommendation of your brother and sister-in-law and went to Studio 2015 and sat down with Mary Kate.

I showed her this ring and asked if there was any way we could use the diamonds I had and make them fit. She recommended that we do a custom engagement ring. This way I could put my own personal touch on the ring as well as using our family’s stones.

I only had a few requirements:

  • It had to be ‘antique-y’
  • It had to use at least 1 diamond from each family member
  • And it should be durable enough to withstand the hoard of second graders that come after you at a moment’s notice

Which resulted in this:

ring-sketchesThe first sketch was still a little too modern for my liking and they weren’t able to squeeze my grandma’s diamonds in there anywhere. A few days later though, they came back with something so beautiful, I knew I was doing the right thing. The milgraining (the bead work) down the braid and the engraved a P’s for Powers along the side were the perfect touches that allowed me to move forward with the rendoring.

ring-breakdown-rendor

Coming full circle

The last thing I had to plan was how I was actually going to propose. I knew I had to do it during Christmas for the sole sake I would have nothing else to exchange with you.

Because everyone already knew, and I was using their own diamonds, I thought it would be appropriate to have them there with us for that special moment.

But you still needed something to open. Having you open that small box with the ring inside isn’t really my style. So again, I decided I would make you something. And once more, I was calling on the women in our families to help me out.

Their task, to find that classic ‘hands pose’ from their wedding pictures that showed off their rings. These would be part of a collage that would tell the story of our family’s love past, present and future. Yet with all the sneaking around, I knew it was probably not a good idea for me to do it myself. So I passed it along to Bri, who was glad to help!

framed-photo

 

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives together

On Sunday, I tried to play it cool. I don’t know how well I did, but I really wanted to scream because Mother Nature was trying to ruin the moment. If my mom and sister wouldn’t have been able to make it, I don’t know what I would have done. It wouldn’t have felt right to do it without them.

Fortunately, they made a safe journey through the snow and by the time everyone was together it finally hit me. Your brother slipped me the ring when you weren’t looking and my stomach turned to knots. Then your dad grew impatient and demanded we start exchanging presents, which I was glad about because I was about to run to the bathroom and puke.

And if you were paying attention, he was dropping these major hints and the panic on everyone’s face should have given it away. You are so gullible though, which is why everything worked out so well.

I think everyone was a little nervous and frantically opening presents to get to the big moment, which threw everything off just a bit. You began to get a little annoyed so I knew it was time. It took me awhile to convince you it was your turn and never got you to sit down, but at that point I was just going to roll with the punches.

It couldn’t have gone any better. You opened the frame, I was able to explain each photo to you and getting down on one knee and saying,

Will You Marry Me?

…just felt right. The long awkward pause (which you later said was a blackout) was a little unnerving, but you said YES and I couldn’t be happier!

I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, share every experience together, have kids and grow old. I’m excited to be a part of your family and I know mine is so happy that you are joining ours. Love you baby, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Author Matthew Powers

Matthew Powers works as an in-house Internet Marketer with Blue Soda Promo. He measures out well at 6'8" 250lbs for the NBA, but his skin color and lack of athleticism has never held him back from lying about his career at the bar

More posts by Matthew Powers

Join the discussion One Comment

  • Uncle Jim says:

    Just read your story about proposing to Calie. All I can say is “Awesome Dude!” Only problem is you’ve set a high bar for other dudes, but that’s okay. I guess it helps to be a design and computer guy and creative on top of all that. Good stuff. LOL (Lots Of Love, btw). Uncle Jim

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