Our Story
Kelly and Erik were engaged in early January of '07. The following is a blog posted by Erik shortly after Kelly said "yes"
Oh man, what can I say? It was a great weekend in Chicago. Things went as well as I planned (even though I had no plan)!! But things didn't start that way....let's go back to November.
With Kelly being in school for her Master's degree, she typically spends most Wednesdays going over her school work and finishing any homework that needs to be completed. Because the level of the work is quite demanding, I will usually leave Kelly alone so she can concentrate. Such was the case on one particular Wednesday. It was late morning, around 11:00am or so, and Kelly sat down to prepare her schoolwork for the next day. I dressed and told her that I would get out of her hair for awhile. I told her that I would do a little grocery shopping and run a few errands. She asked that I come back by about 1pm so we could have lunch together. I agreed, and immediately began to spin the wheels of deception.
I left and went right to Jared, The Galleria of Jewelers (yes, I went to Jared). It's 11:30am and I walk through the doors. My first question was, "do you keep ring profiles from around a year ago?" To my surprise, they said, "yes, what's your name?" Sweet. I gave them my info and they pulled out a file that Kelly and I had put together about a year ago. This profile contained all of the vital information that I would need to ensure that I bought a ring that I knew Kelly would love. Last time Kelly and I were there, we basically picked out the ring that Kelly thought suited her best. It was a one carat emerald cut diamond. It was crystal clear with all kinds of really good diamond mumbo jumbo backing that up. The band was white gold with a special head to keep the diamond set low (so it wouldn't become a nuisance). Around the set was six smaller diamonds equaling a half carat of spectacular sparkle. To my amazement, the same band we had picked out a year ago was still available. I immediately scooped it up. Unfortunately, the same diamond was long gone. I was able to find an emerald cut, certified piece of bling that was comparable, and I scooped that up as well. They still had Kelly's size recorded, so that wasn't an issue. After we pieced it all together, I asked the dreaded question...."How much?" "Ohhhhhhhhhh. I see. Ok, well, let me take a little time to get my finances together, and I'll be back tonight to pick up the ring." It was now 1:45pm.
As I hopped in my car, my cell began to ring. It was Kelly wondering where I was since I was supposed to be home for lunch at 1pm. "Ahh, listen hun, I forgot something at the grocery store, and I had to go back. It's really busy and I'm standing in line right now. Sorry, I didn't realize the grocery store would be this crazy today. I'll be home shortly...." I pulled out of the diamond store and headed for home. The whole ride home I was thinking of a plan to get the financing together so I could pick the ring up later that day. I had to somehow ditch Kelly and get to the bank and then back to the diamond store. The tricky part, do it so Kelly didn't ask to many questions. She's a savvy girl and I typically don't make a habit out of lying to her.
It was about 2pm. I decided that I needed to get to the bank and that lunch with Kelly would have to wait. Ohhh, I was going to be in so much trouble.
I stopped at the bank and asked to see the loan officer. She was in a meeting in another town and they didn't know when she was expected back. I left my name and number and said, if she gets back to the office today, she needs to call me. I left and headed home for lunch.
It was close to 2:30 when I got home. "Where have you been? I have been waiting for lunch and now I don't feel good because I've waited so long to eat. Where were you?" My mind was racing, quickly trying to come up with some answers. "I'm sorry hun, I was ahhh, at the store, and then I forgot something, and the lines were long, and I had to go back, and then I came right home. Here, let me get lunch going." I tried to change the subject quickly by offering to make lunch. "No...I want to go out for lunch now." Kelly said. I knew I didn't have time for that....I needed to find a way out. I couldn't risk getting caught up at lunch, missing the bank call, and then not being able to go get the diamond. "No, let me make you anything you want. What do you want me to make?" Kelly looked at me annoyed. "I want Su Casa (our favorite Mexican place). Shit. Fine. I caved and we went to Su Casa. It was now well into the 3 o'clock hour. The bank closes at 5pm.
We finished lunch and I needed to get Kelly back focused on her homework. "How much work do you have left? Is your project done?" Kelly answered, "I've still got a lot to finish." Perfect! "Well, let me get you home, and I'll go over to the Guitar Center and play around so I'm not annoying you at home." She agreed and it was the perfect alibi. I dropped her off and immediately sped from the driveway. I stopped at the bank again just to see if the loan officer had returned. On my way there, my phone rang and it was the diamond place calling. "We were wondering if you were coming back. It's close to 5pm and we haven't heard back from you. We can't hold your ring or the diamond unless you are committed to buying it." (for those who don't know, when diamond stores need a commitment, what they really need is a down payment) "Oh, I'm committed alright. Can you just hold onto it awhile longer?? I'm headed to the bank right now ." They told me they would hold it until close, which was 9pm.
I popped into the bank. "Is the loan officer here?" "Yes, she just walked in. I'll let her know you are looking for her."
Long story short, I met with the loan officer who had terrible news for me. Typically, the loan stuff can't be completed at this time of day because the loan approver staff is gone by 4:30pm. It was now 5 to 5pm. I told the lady my situation and asked if she could just check and see if anyone was available. The loan officer herself was reluctant to help, just because her day ends at 5pm. I practically begged and she made a call. There was somebody still in the loan approver office. She explained my situation over the phone while I hurriedly filled out the loan app. We put my app through in record time and after a brief hiccup, I was approved. I was walking out of the bank by 5:40pm with a large sum of money. My phone rang several times while I was in the bank...every time it was Kelly. I never answered it.
I drove off to the diamond store with my palms sweating. I had my checkbook but I was almost out of wits. The lady I had been working with was pleased to see me, although I bet she was wondering why I was sweating when it was so cold outside. My phone rang several more times in the diamond store. I finally decided I should answer; however, I needed a quick story. "Hi, sorry I couldn't answer before. I saw a car wreck on the freeway and since it happened right in front of me, I had to stop. Then I was caught up giving a witness statement to the police and filling out a witness form. I'm sorry honey, I'm on my way home right now. The accident caused a bit of a back up, so I had to weave my way through." It was now close to 7pm. We finalized the deal and I could pick up the ring the following day. Whew! My phone rang on my way out the door. It was Kelly, demanding that I return home. For some reason, it hit me that I had never returned home with any groceries like I said I would earlier in the day. I needed to get that covered before she shot holes in my story. I made a pit stop at the store and picked up some stuff. When I got home, I told Kelly that I had forgot to bring the groceries in earlier in the day. I cannot believe she was buying anything I was saying.....
I picked up the ring the next day. It was beautiful. My problem was this....where was I going to put it. I didn't know what to do with it. I was very nervous and it wasn't insured yet. I decided to carry it on me. I did that for over a week before I decided that having this ring on me at all times was going to give me a nervous breakdown. I waited until the next day that Kelly had school and I would be home alone. It was then that I scoured the entire house looking for the best hiding spot ever. That spot turned out to be in a shoe that was in a shoe box that was in the back of my closet. How original!
Flashforward to this weekend. Kelly and I were going to Chicago for a much needed break from work. How she never caught onto me that crazy day was beyond me. Now, it's a month later and all I needed to do was get her, and the ring to Chicago. After that, I would figure the rest out.
I called my buddy Pete and told him what I was up to. I asked him for some help (which it turns out I didn't really need, but he was a pal and agreed to help in anyway he could). On Saturday we went to the John Hancock building, to the 96 floor, where they have this great little restaurant/lounge. Its glass windows all the way around providing an unbelievable view of the entire city of Chicago. We placed an order of drinks and began some conversation. I had the ring in my pocket, but I still had no plan. I didn't know how I was going to execute. What was I going to say? God, I hope I don't cry.
We all sat chatting for awhile. Kelly and I were sitting next to each other. I felt her put her hand on my leg under the table. I was really nervous, so I just held her hand. All I really wanted at this point was my drink. My mind was still racing, trying to find the right words, trying to make this a perfect engagement situation.
Light bulb lights up over my head (just like a cartoon character with a great idea) !!
I was holding Kelly's LEFT hand under the table. I frantically searched for the ring in my pocket, trying not to move too much and draw any undue attention to myself. I retrieved the ring (which was still in the box) With one hand I opened the box in my pocket and carefully plucked the ring out. My left hand was still holding Kelly's, and I very slowly moved my right hand (with the ring) under the table. I was faking some head nods to make it look like I was still involved in the table talk. I used my left hand to find Kelly's ring finger and with my right hand, eased the ring onto her finger. She looked up at me, and blurted out, "What did you do?!! What did you just put on my hand? Gum ??" Pete looked at me, and his girlfriend Lisa sat upright. "What is that on my hand Erik?" I looked at her confused face (she honestly had no idea what I put on her hand. She thought I took some gum from the bottom of the tabel and put it on her hand). "Maybe you should look at what it is...." was my answer. She tilted her head down and looked. Her eyes welled up with tears. Before I could even ask her to marry me, she blurts out, "are you sure!!??!!" Everything else around me tuned out. I looked right at Kelly and in the meekest voice I've ever had, I said, "Yes I'm sure. Will you be my wife?" She answered with a "yes" and we hugged. She cried a little more, and we hugged some more. I think Pete and Lisa felt a bit awkward. Lisa then says..."I didn't hear what you guys said...did she say yes?" Kelly then said, "Yes! I said yes!" We celebrated a bit over a drink. Kelly and I stood up and went to one of the windows overlooking the city. I told her how frantic I was in trying to come up with the perfect thing to say. I told her to look out the window. "Kelly, when I look out this window, it's like I can see forever. That is how I feel when I look at you. Every time I look at you, I see forever. I see our forever."
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