Forever: Take Two

Wayne asked me to marry him two nights ago. He said he'd been trying to find the perfect time, the perfect place and the perfect way to do it. So, a couple of nights ago we took the kids out to dinner. Surrounded by our eight children he finally decided that there would be no perfect time than then, so while the babies wiggled around the restaurant floor he asked me to be his wife. I found out later as the older ones giggled and awed that all of them were in on it. Eight kids and not one of them let the cat out of the bag. I am impressed. I'd been wondering when he'd get to me. He made it a point to ask my father a while ago and my kids. I liked to tease him that everyone already said yes except for me, but it was important for him to do it the "proper" way and I respect that. I'm not such a warm and fuzzy girl, though I am a bit soft and squishy, but he's teaching me to slow down and appreciate things. We've both been married before and we know what it takes to commit. We are fortunate to have found one another, even if it was in the most unconventional way possible. I guess it's true. When God doesn't answer your prayers, it's probably not what's best for you anyway. I asked God to save my marriage, but that was like an alcoholic asking Him to make that bottle of wine last forever. It definitely wasn't easy, but it's completely worth it. There's nothing I can say about Wayne that could do justice to the man that he is. I knew, we knew we'd be better one day. Who could have guessed we'd get another chance at forever? I said ((((((YES))))))!!!
Wayne has an exceptional ability to listen. He heard me talk about ethical mining and my disdain for anything that was remotely associated with conflict jewelry. All of a sudden the search for a perfect ring became a search for a bloodless diamond. If you don't think that's romantic, I beg to differ. Knowing that the folks who mined, cut, polished, set and sold my ring had adequate health care and compensation, knowing that the mines that held my diamond in them were not ruthlessly scavenged, knowing that we didn't contribute to the violence that has destroyed people and villages in Africa, Angola, Burma, Brazil, etc. , and finally, knowing that this was just as important to Wayne as it is to me is the most romantic gesture in the world.
Brilliant Earth, where he found my ring was established after it's owners realized how frustrating it was to find conflict free jewelry, and though there are many other sites, this is the only place available that can track the diamonds, stones, back to their sources ensuring that they are ethically mined. Beachcomber wrote a comment about BE on one of my older posts.They also use renewable metals and give back 5% of their profit to places where the diamond trade has torn villages apart. There are pictures of Brilliant Earth jewelry on other sites, but the most gorgeous pieces are on the Soocool photography blog. Enjoy!