Once Upon A Time... Part 19

The next morning I wanted to look my very best. No one in my ward knew yet that I was engaged. Now I even had the ring to show off. I ran upstairs to show my parents my ring. Sparkly! They were happy that this was a good match. I chose an awesome black dress to wear. I was ready to take a shower. The power went out.

Why, oh, why, power gods?? Why this particular morning are you choosing ME to descend upon? Don't you know I need to wash my hair? I need to smell good? I need to look good? My hair doesn't work well without power to use my hair dryer! Please, give me some power!

I took a shower. I cried. I put my makeup on. I cried. I kinda got dressed. I cried. I whined to my parents. My dad, knowing this meant a lot, and perhaps knowing what my hair would look like if it air dried, offered a solution. "Hey, how about if I plug the hair dryer into the car?" Oh! Relief! I dried it. I tried plugging my curling iron in. It was still a little funny. But it would do.

Daniel came and got me. I looked as good as I possibly could considering the circumstances. My mom wanted a picture....
See how young we look? (What 10 years can do to a couple) On the very bottom of the page is the date...January 31, 1999. Our first date was January 2, 1999. But it was right and we were happy! (Still are!)

We left for church. I went up to sit on the stand to lead the music and the 2 guys that were speaking that day were on the stand already. The one, Dave, looked right at me and said, "Let me see the ring!" I was surprised! We hadn't told anyone there yet. Then the other one, Craig, yes, Craig, of "I'd marry Jennie if I had to" fame, looked at the ring and was a little taken aback. I was the proud momma of a fiance and ring!


When I started leading the opening hymn, I made sure my left hand was positioned just right so all could see. A friend of mine saw the sparkle and looked at me with a look of complete surprise on her face. I loved it.


We got through the rest of church explaining how quickly it had happened and when we were hoping to get married. There were congratulations from all quarters. We were the couple of the day. Of course, in a singles ward, you have only a short space of time before another couple claims the fame.


First of all, I don't know how it happened, but many people knew I was engaged and that I got the ring the night before. How in the world did that happen? To this day, I don't know how so many people knew. Second, I watched all the gals come in to church that Sunday, and not one of them looked put out that the power had been out. It was back on when we got home, but I never knew what had happened. It's all behind us now. Now we move on the the planning!