Friday, October 17, 2008

What $1 Got Him...


This picture is hardly worth 1,000 words, but the story behind it IS. I haven't written too much about this yet, but my courtship was unconventional, to say the least. We met in November '90, and after the whole tattoo escapade a month later, there was little else to do but make a mad dash to the alter. There was never any question that we were soul mates, it was just a matter of how, and when, to seal the big deal.

Well, one evening, in our favorite speakeasy, yours truly had to make a trip to the ladies room (multiple margaritas will do that to a girl). I had not quite squatted awkwardly, yet hygienically, to do my business, when the door opened behind me. There was my sweetheart, flashing that boyish grin. Dropping to one knee (yes, in the ladies room), he asked for my hand in marriage. I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw him reach into his pocket and pulled out... his wallet??

No, there were no diamonds presented that fateful night. That man of mine glanced into his wallet, pausing to think, and pulled out a single dollar bill, which he then tied around my ring finger. Mind you, he had a twenty in the wallet, too, but rationalized that he needed to save that for more beer. 

If any of you think this girl was disappointed or embarrassed, you don't know moi. Religiously, I would coat it with clear nail polish, rendering it fairly weatherproof.  I wore it proudly through our entire three month engagement, trading it for a simple gold band I had to purchase myself for our wedding day (more on that to come). 

So, as you can see, I have held onto it all these years. Mr. Wonderful has been quite generous in the jewel department since, and what I wear on my ring finger today would hardly raise any disapproving eyebrows. However, I cherish my priceless "engagement dollar" and can't wait to pass it on to my son to present to his one-and-only. I have a feeling it may just weed out any gold-diggers!

This touching story was made possible by the lovely Cecily and MamaGeek, who begat Photo Story Friday. This is my first, and I am excited about more to come. I promise to present better photos and, as always, stories from my heart. I hope I fulfilled all the requirements!

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


43 comments:

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Thats such a sweet story...you got a keeper for sure! And I love that you have kept that dollar and plan to pass it down. Wonderful!

Jay @halftime lessons said...

HILARIOUS...
I like your husband a lot.

I wonder if I could somehow get away with something like this instead of an anniversary present...hmmm

AnnieRoso said...

That's sweet! I like a realistically romantic engagement story. I'm tired of the ones where the man hides a huge expensive rock under a seashell on the beach and causes the woman to "discover" it. Oh, and her family's usually there too. And of course he's asked for the dad's blessing (and for two goats as dowry). Do you know how many times I've heard that same story???

At least your husband got down on one knee! :-)

Lindsay said...

I absolutely loved that! Who needs convention when you have a unique engagement story to tell family, friends, and your children for years to come.

(I will say, I'm glad that he's stepped up in the jewelry department, for your sake.) :)

CC said...

That is a GREAT story! I love that he rationalized how he couldn't give you the $20 and how you coated it with nailpolish to "preserve it". :) :)

Kristina P. said...

Beautiful! My diamond ring is very small. But I love it and am not remotely embarrassed.

Oh, and I'll email you after I get through my Reader. :)

Anonymous said...

That is SUCH a romantic story! I love that; so unique! :-)

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

This story cracked me right up!

I didn't have an engagement ring when my husband proposed either, but I got one a week later.

It was cute!

tiarastantrums said...

beautiful!!

Nannette said...

Proof that it's not what he gives you materially. Such a wonderful story! :)

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

A lovely story with such great meaning. Not to mention, I am in awe that he made a ring out of a dollar bill. That is talent!

Thank you for sharing and welcome to PSF!

Please VISIT My PSF. Thank You!

Hannah said...

Hah!! that's amazing!!

What gave him the idea to use a dollar bill?

Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my psf!!

That girl

Weeksie50 said...

Oh, I love it..
What a fun neat engagement story..
I like non traditional things as well as traditional. I love that you kept it and that you are going to pass it on..

Great post..

Ryanne said...

That is so funny and sweet at the same time. I love that he got on one knee in the washroom, too cute! The dollar was a nice touch. If it's love I really don't think it matter on the size or cost of the engagement ring. Love it!

Carissa(GoodnCrazy) said...

Hey you are soo cool. And 1990? Hmmm that would make you what...36! You must have had kids like the day after you got married?! ha! I met mine in 1994 so it's great to imagine your life at the same time as mine...


I love your dollar story. We nearly skipped the rings altogether as well, I just might have to tell my story...you've inspired me.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I'm SO GLAD you joined in PSF! This twas awesome. Your husband is SUCH a keeper!

Wendy said...

Welcome to PSF, you are going to love it. There are so many wonderful posts from these neat people. What a wonderful first PSF post!!! You have an amazing story to tell!

Laura said...

That is so cute and so creative!! AWESOME!!

The Sports Mama said...

Oh I love this!

When Coach and I got engaged, he actually got me a watch with one of those tiny little "diamond" chips for the number 12. He told me it was the biggest diamond he could afford, and it looked better in a watch than in a ring. :)

Ash said...

Oh how I wish every young lady out there who is waiting for that "magical" rock could read your story.

Two-month's salary, indeed.

How about a lifetime of faithful love instead?

Congrats on finding a keeper!

Em

Anonymous said...

I love it. The story behind the picture is definitely a good one. Hilarious that he proposed in the restroom. *L*

stefanie said...

Clever and resourceful. Sentimental and conspiring. I like.

Honey Mommy said...

That is hilarious!

I don't know what I would do if I got proposed to in the loo!

When my hubby asked me to marry him he didn't have a ring for me either and I didn't care!

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

That is a great story! You could win a prize for most unique engagement story and/or ring ever I bet!

And, thanks for your comment on my tag. It made me think that I should write more about my bat cave experience being that it fits in so nicely with the Halloween season and all. Hmmmmm.... That will be a fun one to relive :).

KeiserKids said...

(sɹnoɥ 2-1) ǝıd ʇɐɥʇ ǝʞɐɯ oʇ ʎɐp ןןɐ pǝʌɐןs ǝʍ puɐ 'ʎɹoʇs ןooɔ ɐ sʇɐɥʇ

Chris said...

That is a great story. Very non-conventional -- just the way it should be.
Glad to have you aboard this week.

Unknown said...

I love this story! How lovely. Although I probably would not have accepted a proposal in a restroom or a dollar bill. But clearly it worked for you!

Kellan said...

I just LOVE this story! What a great memory and I am so glad you kept that engagement $1.00 - so cool!!!

Have a great weekend - Kellan

SuperCoolMom said...

That is a great story! Nothing like a good engagement story to warm the heart! (Thank goodness it wasn't me - I'd have peed my pants.) So cute!

Wendyburd1 said...

That is so...cool, and VERY unconventional!! You were mid pee?! ROFL!!

Storytellin' Mama said...

Awww...I love your engagement story!!

amelia bedelia said...

geeesh...I'm jealous. I was proposed to while sitting on the couch eating cheetos! loved your story.

Unknown said...

Heh Heh... Smooth... very smooth of him!! Awesome story!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Great story! I hope your son does pass it on to his future bride!

GoteeMan said...

sweet! I gave K (my wife) a walnut shell... inside, it had a note which said, "in a nutshell, I love you... ". She still has it, and treasures it...

J/ (goteeman.blogspot.com)

Working Mum said...

Aww, how sweet. And you kept it? He sounds like a keeper!

PS Thanks for popping in to mine.

david mcmahon said...

My first visit here - you have a wonderful, easy-flowing writing style.

Cecily R said...

Oh, I LOVE LOVE this post!!! What a perfect love story.

I'm so happy you joined us for PSF...PLEASE come back next week!!

jill jill bo bill said...

I looove that story! And Your future daughter-in-law is quite lucky. Thanks for visiting and for the comment. And there's no Jessica Hahn thing even tho at one point in the eighties I used to wear a TON of mascara that could rival Tammy Faye. No, not really THAT much. Just a 19 year marriage that he decided to end. What can I say, he is stupid. heh

Claremont First Ward said...

I don't think I've ever enjoyed an engagement story more. Seriously. :)

Natalie said...

What a neat story!

imbeingheldhostage said...

That is so sweet! THIS is why I love PSF, you learn some of the coolest things about people.

Joelle Dolce Bebe said...

sooo sweet! He knew it was for REAL or he would have never done that! & its just shows how sweet to have kept it and going to pass it down. LOVE.