What's the holdup?!

My last blog post was 7 months ago... and as you can see... no ring yet. Seriously? Seriously.

We always think there are so many signs. You're approaching a relationship milestone or a special vacation. Marriage is and has been a topic of conversation. He closes his laptop when you get home and hides his mail. He runs out and doesn't say where he's gone. You're going on a romantic and magical trip together (to California wine country!), the first trip he's ever planned. He promises it will be full of "great things."

When he looks at you so earnestly and you lean in and he starts talking about how much he loves you instead turns into a conversation about how he's falling behind in his "plan." And then the jewelry box, that little jewelry box, the one that is supposed to hold a diamond engagement ring -- instead holds a diamond necklace.

And whatever wooing and romance that may have happened over the weekend is clouded in dismay and heartache that you are not coming home with a sparkly bauble on your finger.

No matter how many poems or expensive meals or presents or tender looks there are between now and then, sadly, I know they aren't going to mean as much until I have that ring. Until I have that promise and commitment and physical proof that this relationship is going somewhere. Put your money where your mouth is brotha.

This is a real windowfront from a jewelry store in Napa. Too good not to snap.