Mary had mentioned that she had always wanted to watch the sun setting on the ocean. Seeing as we were on the east coast, I figured the next best thing would be to watch the sun rise. One morning I got up at five and snuck out in the jeep to do some reconnaissance. It took me about fifteen minutes to drive to the spot I had envisioned in my mind and there was still time before the sun had started rising. The sky had only started to change colors. The next morning, I woke up Mary at the same time and we headed to the beach.
Mary didn't know that I had the ring. We had been looking at several different places in Utah, but hadn't quite found what we wanted yet, and were going to have to continue the search once we got back. Or so she thought. I had met with Richard Wilson of Wilson Diamonds in Provo the day before we left. It was about eleven in the morning and we had met to discuss different options for different rings. After suggesting some alterations to him on one of the rings, we decided it would be perfect and I asked him to start on it so that it would be ready when we got back from Delaware. He asked when we were leaving and left his office when I told him we'd be flying out the next morning. He came back five minutes later, saying he had just spoken with his goldsmith and that he could have the ring done for me that same afternoon. I called Mary and told her that the meeting hadn't gone well and that he had been rude and was difficult to work with. We agreed that we would continue looking once we got back. The ring was ready by five and Richard even let me walk out of the store with the ring, without having financed it yet. He said we'd figure it out, once we got back to Utah.
I had placed the ring in my book bag, along with my camera. I told Mary I didn't want to get sand in my camera and had her carry the bag as we drove, oblivious to the fact that the ring was inside. We got to the beach and watched the sky as it changed colors, and as the sun came up over the ocean. We sat and talked for a while to the sound of seagulls and the waves crashing against the rocks, enjoying the view of the distant lighthouse and the passing ships (with the occasional school of dolphins off the shore).
During our conversation, the ring made it's way from the bag to my pocket. Mary, of course, none the wiser. As we discussed our future, Mary began to voice some concerns. She was nervous, especially after spending time with me and my family in Delaware. She felt that there was so much about me that she didn't know and that she was overwhelmed with the idea of marriage. She said however, that she would feel more secure if she had a ring on her finger. She asked if we could start looking as soon as we got back to Utah. Trying to be difficult, and catch her off guard, I asked simply, "why?" I could tell she didn't like that response as she turned away, not knowing what to say. This of course gave me the opportunity to remove the ring and drop to one knee before she turned back. Upon seeing the ring, I asked her to marry me. She started to cry, which of course made me cry, and we embraced as she said, "yes!!"
We walked down the beach until we came across an older couple. The husband was swimming with their dog, as the wife stood on the shore. We greeted them, told them that we had just gotten engaged, and that they were the first to know. She hugged us, unexpectedly, and congratulated us. We had her take some pictures. We figured, we might want to remember that day...
