After I said yes and we had hiked back down the mountain we high-tailed it back to the Jim-Jam barn so I could take a pepto. Then we laid down on the little bed and hugged and snuggled and tried to take a nap. I don't know what we were thinking. I was way too excited to sleep. We kept admiring the ring on my hand and talking about the story behind the story. There are all sorts of little parts you don't know about until after the fact.

He didn't know that I have been aching to marry him for more than a year. Almost two years, in fact. I remember it so clearly- that day when I had dinner with L at the City College cafeteria and I told him sweets was the man I was going to marry. That was in September of 1999!

He didn't know that the wish I made on my birthday cake candles last wednesday was that he would give me a ring.

He thought I was just fine not marrying and that he was sort of taking a chance. At least that's what he says.

I didn't know that he had bought a ring once, in December, intending to give it to me when we were on a little romantic getaway just after new years. He changed his mind when I had gone off about how silly it is that my soon to be marrying friends are all completely absorbed in the details of their weddings- the same weddings that won't be happening until next summer! He correctly gathered that I am not interested in a long engagement and decided to keep that ring in his pocket. He ended up returning that ring and buying a new one for me here.

We snuggled and admired the ring and then the phone calls started.

We have wierd families.

My dad told him he was brave to ask on top of a mountain because he ran the risk of getting pushed off the mountain top. Then he started babbling about the dangers of bear traps.

My brother said "uh- so is that tentative?"

???!

His mother gave me a long talk about how difficult it is to be a mother-in-law and how we need to focus on keeping the lines of communication open even if we hurt each other's feelings.

My mother was very concerned about being displaced as the mother of the bride.

The best of all was my grandmother. She said "Oh- is that all? How's the weather?"

Very strange. Very wonderful. Each person received the information in a different way, reflecting who they are and what they are thinking about. My mom lives in Alaska and has worries about being so far from her family. My brother doesn't have any experience in relationships so he just isn't thinking about that stuff. My dad is just a goofball.

I want to tell everyone but at the same time I want to keep it private. I love my sweets very very much and am so happy. It's all a little overwhelming.