Hello All!

For the ones that don’t know me, I’m Boots, Rachel’s Fiance.  She has talked me into writing here, on our blog.  Please forgive me for any misspelled words, grammar and or any other errors I might have, English was my worst subject in High School.

I am going to enlighten everyone on the true story of how I proposed to the soon to be Mrs. Boots.  Rachel’s story is pretty close, but of course she's not going to tell the Whole Story.

I called her and told her that I was on the way to see her and that I had a few things that I needed to get done before I could head that way.  I was not sure what time I would be up there but that I would try to be there before she got off or shortly after.  (I had no idea I would be looking at rings in just a few hours.)

I finally got everything taken care of and started to head that way and start thinking …..I had to leave town for a few days and knew that I wouldn’t get to see her for awhile and how much I was going to miss her.  I got closer to her big city and decide to call the manager of the jewelry store who I had been talking to for the past 2 months about a ring.

As I am talking to him, I make an offer on a ring that I had picked out weeks ago, I told him that I was 15 minutes away from his store and if he would take X amount for the ring that I would bring cash for it today.  He kind of hesitated and told me that he might be able to work with me to come on in.

I picked it out all by myself; she refused to go look at rings with me.  She said that she wanted me to pick it out and that she would love anything I got because I picked it out.  After about a month I was able to get her to look at pictures and she told me what she like about different ones and, boy, was I taking notes!

I get to the store and I am looking at the one I picked out weeks ago and I tell the manager that I wanted something different, that I did get her too look at a few pictures of rings.  Well, by now Rachel is calling me and I really don't want to answer cause I can't lie too well and plus she would hear the music and people in the mall.

So the manager and I are going back and forth, looking at different rings and still at this point I didn't think I would be purchasing a ring.  The more I looked at the beautiful diamonds the more I thought about my precious, beautiful Rachel.  But I am trying not to let the manager get the best of me and try to sell me something I don't want.  By this time the manager has, no lie, about 8 to 10 rings on his two hands.  I finally made my mind up, I was going to buy one and it would be ready by February 6th.  

The manger kept talking and I looked at his pinky finger and looked at a different the ring on it. The way the light was reflecting off the diamond and it was so sparkly I knew that it was the one.  So once again I changed my mind, I just had that feeling that she would love it.  I got to the cash register and my knees were knocking and I start giggling like a little kid.  I was so excited I just couldn’t wait!

I am at the cash register and Rachel calls me back, so I answer and tell her I had to stop and help work a wreck and that I would be there shortly.  Of course, I tell her a road I shouldn’t been on but HECK! I just bought a RING! I was on the top of the world.

As I am walking out of the mall I have to help a city police with a domestic violence there in the mall.  I finally get out and head to her house and I call her and ask her if her and her roommate wanted to go out to eat.  She was like "Well, we got fish sticks out and about to put them in the stove."  She said, "Well me and her will talk about it and will let you know when you get here."

I started thinking-- she told me a few weeks ago that I couldn’t surprise her with the ring because she would know that I was going to propose to her.  She said, "You’re going to want to go out to eat and you're going to be dressed all nice and be all nervous."  So I scratch that idea.

I arrived at her house and they were putting up their fish stick and I broke the news, knocking her off my track. 

"We can eat fish stick that’s fine with me."

 I could tell she was way too excited about going out to eat, I thought she might be on to me so I had to play it safe.  (But I really wanted to go eat at that place they have such good food.)

I ended up riding with her to the store to do a little grocery shopping with her and I am thinking the whole time, "How am I going to pull this off?"  We get back to her house and it’s killing me.  I can’t think of how to be that sweet guy and surprise her. 

As I am sitting at the table, I look at her dog, Nikki, and start thinking about how much she loves her dog and all and it hits me.  I go out to my car and get the ring and put it in my pocket.

As I am coming back inside she meets me, of course, with Nikki, taking her out to go to the bathroom.  I was like, "Oh well, for that idea."

I am going stir crazy, thinking how am I going to do this.  I make it inside and she comes in, right behind me and tells me that she didn’t have to go yet.

Rachel walks to her roommate’s room and I pick the dog up off the floor my heart is pounding, palms sweating and I am all shaky.  I get the ring on (after a few failed attempts) Nikki's collar and put her back on the floor.  Of course, the dog takes off running back to Rachel needing to go outside.  I am sitting waiting to hear something, but nothing, just nice and calm. 

I look down and there is Nikki with the ring.  Rachel walks back into the living room and bends over and grabs Nikki’s collar.  She brings the ring around and is stunned, speechless, floored, and she tries to ask why there's a ring on her dog's collar but she starts stuttering, "Why--- why is there a ring on here?"  

Her face is red, she is breathing heavily.  She looks like she is about to burst into tears of joy but she holds back.

I kneel down and look up at her and ask her to marry me.  I am still waiting on the answer, but she is proudly wearing the ring.  I have to stand up and hold on to her and she says, "It’s hot in here and I can’t breath. I need to go outside to cool off some, it’s hot!"  

She still refuses to admit that she stuttered and was breathing like a racing horse. But it was priceless I couldn’t see doing it any other way.