Give a mouse a diamond, she's gonna ask for a wedding January 8, 2010 6:36 AM Subscribe
Follow up to my previous diamond post in AskMe. Basically the story of how I got engaged after starting my research at Metefilter.
Yes, Metafilter does affect your real life more often than you'd like to admit. This time the mefites helped me make one of the largest purchases for one of the smallest things in my life.
So, I'm from California, living in Boston and spending most of my time in Venezuela for work (get your head wrapped around that one). I've had lots of time to consider how I wanted to wrap up the best thing that's ever happened to me (the woman. still in Boston) and promise her that what we have is forever - even with the long distance we've had to endure for the last 5 months.
I started thinking about rings a couple of months ago. Checked out the stock at U.S. jewelers and Venezuelan jewelers and was not overly impressed with selection or quality. However, it did allow me to figure out what I wanted. I heard about others buying diamonds in South America at huge discounts in the past so... on to AskMe. Not only did I get great responses and resources, but people offered to help me offline as well (was I surprised?). Turns out, most S. American retailers still purchase their diamonds with dollars from Antwerp, and thus, no major discounts to be found for certified diamonds as the jewelers still have their hefty profit. So I finally turned to looking online and found out that my best deal was through Bluenile after I kept receiving excellent reviews. Not only did I get a phenomenal rock and platinum setting, but it appraised for 73% more than I paid. Those savings allowed me to do this:
Landed in Boston on Dec 29th morning. The girlfriend had to work that day so I spent my time talking to the parents for their blessing. They were shocked. Wait, surprised sounds better... And their blessing was tearfully given. On the 30th (when I could sneak a few minutes alone) I talked to both of her sisters told them my intentions as they emotionally cheered me on and told them to clear their plans that night and just meet at the parents house at 6:30 pm.
The girlfriend knew only 1 thing: the night of the 30th was "date night". Nothing out of the ordinary because we always make sure to have one big night out when I'm in town. So, we both dressed up and I finally told her that we were going to to the top of the Prudential Tower to the Top of the Hub restaurant for some drinks to start the night. We barely survived the cold getting over there, ran inside the warm building and she hit floor 52 in the elevator while I pressed 50. She looked at me strangely and I said "there will be a couple of fun surprises tonight, this being one of them." I pushed her out 2 floors early so we could tour the mostly deserted Skywalk with a 360 degree view of Boston at night. We strolled around and stopped as we faced an ice-covered Fenway Park being prepared for the winter classic. I said "let's get a pic together, I'll put it on the 10 second timer." I set the camera on a ledge and secretively put it on Video and hit Record. I walked over to stand next to her and she says "where's the flash"? I turn her toward me, say a couple nice things and drop to one knee as I opened the box. She cried. Loud. With her face in her hands and nodding emphatically, then saying the word YES when I wouldn't get up (I'm not accepting a nod. I need the WORD). We then kiss through her tears. And it's all on VIDEO. Awesome.
We go to the Top of the Hub where I have champagne already chilling next to a reserved table in the window. We drink, talk and gaze romantically for a half hour, shaking off the nerves and adrenaline. I tell her she can call people when we get in the cab to go to the second restaurant where we'll have dinner.
We go downstairs and outside to hail a cab and waiting there is a white stretch limo. She says "No way...." as the driver gets out and opens up the door revealing her whole family of 5 inside dressed to the nines and holding long-stem roses. She cries again. Everyone cries, in fact. More champagne and off to the North End for an Italian extravaganza. Table is reserved in Lucca's wine cellar where we eat tons of unbelievable food and drink our body weight in wine.
After the limo drops us all off, Metafilter pops into my head and I smiled.
Thanks again.
Yes, Metafilter does affect your real life more often than you'd like to admit. This time the mefites helped me make one of the largest purchases for one of the smallest things in my life.
So, I'm from California, living in Boston and spending most of my time in Venezuela for work (get your head wrapped around that one). I've had lots of time to consider how I wanted to wrap up the best thing that's ever happened to me (the woman. still in Boston) and promise her that what we have is forever - even with the long distance we've had to endure for the last 5 months.
I started thinking about rings a couple of months ago. Checked out the stock at U.S. jewelers and Venezuelan jewelers and was not overly impressed with selection or quality. However, it did allow me to figure out what I wanted. I heard about others buying diamonds in South America at huge discounts in the past so... on to AskMe. Not only did I get great responses and resources, but people offered to help me offline as well (was I surprised?). Turns out, most S. American retailers still purchase their diamonds with dollars from Antwerp, and thus, no major discounts to be found for certified diamonds as the jewelers still have their hefty profit. So I finally turned to looking online and found out that my best deal was through Bluenile after I kept receiving excellent reviews. Not only did I get a phenomenal rock and platinum setting, but it appraised for 73% more than I paid. Those savings allowed me to do this:
Landed in Boston on Dec 29th morning. The girlfriend had to work that day so I spent my time talking to the parents for their blessing. They were shocked. Wait, surprised sounds better... And their blessing was tearfully given. On the 30th (when I could sneak a few minutes alone) I talked to both of her sisters told them my intentions as they emotionally cheered me on and told them to clear their plans that night and just meet at the parents house at 6:30 pm.
The girlfriend knew only 1 thing: the night of the 30th was "date night". Nothing out of the ordinary because we always make sure to have one big night out when I'm in town. So, we both dressed up and I finally told her that we were going to to the top of the Prudential Tower to the Top of the Hub restaurant for some drinks to start the night. We barely survived the cold getting over there, ran inside the warm building and she hit floor 52 in the elevator while I pressed 50. She looked at me strangely and I said "there will be a couple of fun surprises tonight, this being one of them." I pushed her out 2 floors early so we could tour the mostly deserted Skywalk with a 360 degree view of Boston at night. We strolled around and stopped as we faced an ice-covered Fenway Park being prepared for the winter classic. I said "let's get a pic together, I'll put it on the 10 second timer." I set the camera on a ledge and secretively put it on Video and hit Record. I walked over to stand next to her and she says "where's the flash"? I turn her toward me, say a couple nice things and drop to one knee as I opened the box. She cried. Loud. With her face in her hands and nodding emphatically, then saying the word YES when I wouldn't get up (I'm not accepting a nod. I need the WORD). We then kiss through her tears. And it's all on VIDEO. Awesome.
We go to the Top of the Hub where I have champagne already chilling next to a reserved table in the window. We drink, talk and gaze romantically for a half hour, shaking off the nerves and adrenaline. I tell her she can call people when we get in the cab to go to the second restaurant where we'll have dinner.
We go downstairs and outside to hail a cab and waiting there is a white stretch limo. She says "No way...." as the driver gets out and opens up the door revealing her whole family of 5 inside dressed to the nines and holding long-stem roses. She cries again. Everyone cries, in fact. More champagne and off to the North End for an Italian extravaganza. Table is reserved in Lucca's wine cellar where we eat tons of unbelievable food and drink our body weight in wine.
After the limo drops us all off, Metafilter pops into my head and I smiled.
Thanks again.
Awww.... Big Smile here!
Congratulations!
posted by jaruwaan at 6:52 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Congratulations!
posted by jaruwaan at 6:52 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh - and we're all coming to the wedding! There are only a few thousand active members, so fitting us in the venue won't be *too* bad, right?
posted by rtha at 7:01 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by rtha at 7:01 AM on January 8, 2010
Nice work. Congrats!
posted by TooFewShoes at 7:03 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by TooFewShoes at 7:03 AM on January 8, 2010
Yay excessive consumption!
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 7:04 AM on January 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 7:04 AM on January 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
A few thousand unplanned attendees? Let me build that into the contingency... shouldn't be too hard.
MeFi meetup at the reception, BYOB.
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:07 AM on January 8, 2010
MeFi meetup at the reception, BYOB.
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:07 AM on January 8, 2010
What a terrific story! Thanks for sharing it, and have a bottle of Lag on hand for me, please. (I'll bring some friends, but they're less demanding, you can give 'em the well scotch.)
posted by languagehat at 7:14 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by languagehat at 7:14 AM on January 8, 2010
What, no banjo?
posted by found missing at 7:33 AM on January 8, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by found missing at 7:33 AM on January 8, 2010 [4 favorites]
BYOB
Which stands for 'Bring your own bride', I guess...
Congrats!
posted by DreamerFi at 7:35 AM on January 8, 2010
Which stands for 'Bring your own bride', I guess...
Congrats!
posted by DreamerFi at 7:35 AM on January 8, 2010
What, no banjo?
posted by found missing
Oh, I forgot to tell you how we ended up going out for the first time... You see, I saw this beautiful woman, so I gave her a banjo.
Guess what? It worked.
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:39 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by found missing
Oh, I forgot to tell you how we ended up going out for the first time... You see, I saw this beautiful woman, so I gave her a banjo.
Guess what? It worked.
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:39 AM on January 8, 2010
I get the feeling that this post doesn't actually have much to do with your AskMefi post and is more an excuse to tell your engagement story.
But congrats anyway.
posted by amro at 7:40 AM on January 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
But congrats anyway.
posted by amro at 7:40 AM on January 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
Hence why it's in MeTa...
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:41 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by namewithhe1d at 7:41 AM on January 8, 2010
I may have teared up just now. Maybe. But speaking as a guy who proposed to his sweetheart just last Valentine's Day, this made me feel all warm inside. Thanks for posting.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 7:43 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 7:43 AM on January 8, 2010
Aww. In a slightly similar vein, it was this thread on AskMe that got me interested in getting an engagement ring of my own. I talked to my fiancee about it and eventually she got me an awesome ring that I've been proudly wearing ever since. The whole shebang's getting official in 8 days. :)
posted by kmz at 7:54 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by kmz at 7:54 AM on January 8, 2010
Hence why it's in MeTa...
Yeah, but it's unrelatedness to your AskMe is what makes me feel like it's not really appropriate for MeTa. But everyone else seems to be way more shmoopy than me, so what do I know.
posted by amro at 8:00 AM on January 8, 2010
Yeah, but it's unrelatedness to your AskMe is what makes me feel like it's not really appropriate for MeTa. But everyone else seems to be way more shmoopy than me, so what do I know.
posted by amro at 8:00 AM on January 8, 2010
"I get the feeling that this post doesn't actually have much to do with your AskMefi post..."
Sure it does, at least to me. I remember the AskMe post, thought it was sweet and a good question, and was curious to find out the result of everyone's suggestions. Here it is, in MeTa. Done!
And yay for my happy tear-up. Congrats, and glad it worked out. :)
posted by functionequalsform at 8:03 AM on January 8, 2010
Sure it does, at least to me. I remember the AskMe post, thought it was sweet and a good question, and was curious to find out the result of everyone's suggestions. Here it is, in MeTa. Done!
And yay for my happy tear-up. Congrats, and glad it worked out. :)
posted by functionequalsform at 8:03 AM on January 8, 2010
As someone who also popped the question last week, let me say Congratulations! And please extend my congratulations to future Mrs. Withhe1d as well.
Of course, my proposal wasn't nearly as romantic. And myboyfriend fiancé is still recovering from the allergic reaction to the ring.
posted by specialagentwebb at 8:13 AM on January 8, 2010
Of course, my proposal wasn't nearly as romantic. And my
posted by specialagentwebb at 8:13 AM on January 8, 2010
Thank god I'm already married, with all this 'setting the bar high' gubbins. Not much chance of measuring up to that kind of flash.
Popping the question over IM seems a little less shiny than that (but remains amusingly geeky to me and the missus, being as most of our relationship foundations were conducted the same way).
posted by Brockles at 8:21 AM on January 8, 2010
Popping the question over IM seems a little less shiny than that (but remains amusingly geeky to me and the missus, being as most of our relationship foundations were conducted the same way).
posted by Brockles at 8:21 AM on January 8, 2010
My engagement was way more romantic. See, I basically threatened to return to India and marry a friend of the family if we didn't get married. I didn't even have to buy my ticket before he caved. Heh heh.
posted by anniecat at 8:43 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by anniecat at 8:43 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Hell, I just teared up. That's an AWESOME story. Congrats!
posted by terrapin at 8:46 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by terrapin at 8:46 AM on January 8, 2010
specialagentwebb, go you for doing it yourself and giving him a ring.
Congratulations to all!
posted by ocherdraco at 8:57 AM on January 8, 2010
Congratulations to all!
posted by ocherdraco at 8:57 AM on January 8, 2010
It's about time for some serious schmoopy around here. Congratulations!
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:59 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:59 AM on January 8, 2010
Wow, I am tearing up just reading about it. Congratulations. Well played.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:11 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:11 AM on January 8, 2010
YAY! That is so fantastic! I'm so happy for you! Best wishes for a wonderful future together.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:12 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:12 AM on January 8, 2010
That's it. I'm adding him as my spouse. (My only other spouse on Meta is George Clooney.)
posted by HeyAllie at 9:13 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by HeyAllie at 9:13 AM on January 8, 2010
This has been fantastic for my self esteem. Thank you all. I should propose once a month for a nice little pick-me-up... But of course, I would be put in the poor house what with the ring, booze, limo rental and dinner tab on my credit card... Too scared to look at this months bill
posted by namewithhe1d at 9:41 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by namewithhe1d at 9:41 AM on January 8, 2010
Wonderful news. Congratulations to you and your fiancée!
posted by Lynsey at 9:56 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by Lynsey at 9:56 AM on January 8, 2010
Mazel Tov!
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:02 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:02 AM on January 8, 2010
Metefilter: where everyone get's a little bit.
posted by blue_beetle at 10:23 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by blue_beetle at 10:23 AM on January 8, 2010
(intentional apostrophe)
posted by blue_beetle at 10:23 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by blue_beetle at 10:23 AM on January 8, 2010
That made me misty-eyed. Mazel tov, and thanks for sharing your lovely story.
posted by theora55 at 10:59 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by theora55 at 10:59 AM on January 8, 2010
Awwwww! [sniffle] So sweet!
posted by five fresh fish at 11:58 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by five fresh fish at 11:58 AM on January 8, 2010
aww! this is adorable.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 12:23 PM on January 8, 2010
posted by Solon and Thanks at 12:23 PM on January 8, 2010
jesus. great story. I guess if I ever get engaged I'm gonna have to parachute into a dinner reception or something to top that.
posted by shmegegge at 12:41 PM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by shmegegge at 12:41 PM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
That is super awesome. Congrats!
posted by SisterHavana at 4:14 PM on January 8, 2010
posted by SisterHavana at 4:14 PM on January 8, 2010
I guess if I ever get engaged I'm gonna have to parachute into a dinner reception or something to top that.
Not all women long for elaborate and highly planned proposal scenarios, so don't worry too much. Many women are very happy with simple and heartfelt proposals, or would rather do the proposing themselves. You'll know what's right for you.
posted by jokeefe at 5:28 PM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Not all women long for elaborate and highly planned proposal scenarios, so don't worry too much. Many women are very happy with simple and heartfelt proposals, or would rather do the proposing themselves. You'll know what's right for you.
posted by jokeefe at 5:28 PM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, awesome! Congratulations!! (And hey, when do we get to see the video?!)
posted by sarcasticah at 8:32 PM on January 8, 2010
posted by sarcasticah at 8:32 PM on January 8, 2010
Congratulations!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:44 PM on January 9, 2010
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:44 PM on January 9, 2010
Good on you - A+ for effort, 10 for romance, and a star for memorability. Keep up the good work for the next few decades, and you will both live happily ever after.
posted by tizzie at 8:47 AM on January 10, 2010
posted by tizzie at 8:47 AM on January 10, 2010
Congrats! That sounds like an awesome time, or as we like to say in Boston, "WICKED PISSAH!!"
posted by HabeasCorpus at 8:35 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by HabeasCorpus at 8:35 PM on January 10, 2010
Rumple: Post the video or it didn't happen.
Always searching for good uses of blink
posted by Chuckles at 1:29 AM on January 12, 2010
Always searching for good uses of blink
posted by Chuckles at 1:29 AM on January 12, 2010
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:42 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]