surprise or not?

[kevy_kev]

I have been lurking around the site from some time now. I finally picked up the ring today after much advice from recent posts. It is: .80 H VS1 Radiant cut set with baguettes and round side stones. She liked the setting because it was part of a set. Basically, she knows she is getting the ring, since she picked it out. But she thinks the ring is getting sized and won''t be done until after we get back from seeing her Dad in Indianapolis for the weekend. This gives me the perfect opportunity to surprise her with it. But I know nothing about Indy! Should I wait until we get back and have a better plan she would suspect or work with the surprise part and throw something together out there?

 

[reena]

my vote: surprise her! you still have two days to put something romantic together, and she'll probably never expect it.

 

[JimDiamond]

I agree! Absolutely. Surprise her! She knows she's getting the ring. She knows you'll be asking her sooner or later and she wants it to be a wonderful romantic moment, but if you do anything romantic after she "knows" you have the ring she'll instantly know what's coming. You have a great idea to make it even more special for her.

Think of what she finds fun and romantic and then arrange to do it in Indianapolis. There are two potential problems: 1) She might suspect anyway. Be a good actor and think of good cover stories and hopefully she won't. 2) She may want to do everything with her father and/or other family. Since she's already picked a ring I assume her father knows about your intentions. You may be able to propose with family around anyway.

Give us more info and we'll see if we can make better suggestions. Good luck.

 

[kevy_kev]

Well I think I am more worried about problem 2 then anything else. The only alone time her and I will have is Friday morning while her father is at work a 1/2 day. And although we have been dating for 6 years and it shouldnt be a surprise to her father I would still like to have "the talk" with him which doesnt leave me much time.
I guess I will bring it and hope that everything comes together, if not then I can put more time into it when we get back. Now I need to think of an excuse why I suddenly want to bring a carry-on bag :-/
thanks

 

[carrieq]

Good plan...see what happens when you get there. i SAY, SURPRISE HER...IF YOU CAN MAKE IT WORK. You might want to sneak it on your luggage as she may see the carry-on bag go through xray...just a thought.

 

[reena]

Oh, I'm sure if you told her dad in advance what is going on, he wouldn't have any objection to you sweeping her away to do it (even after dinner with the family or something) on friday or saturday night. If she thinks you guys are just going out to a family dinner and then back home for an early night, she will never ever suspect.

I don't know if you guys are planning to go out to a restaurant or whatever, but if so you could arrange to have a car service pick you up from the restaurant after dinner and whisk you to a nearby romantic setting for the proposal. This is stealing a little bit from the other poster who was planning to propose with the restaurant menu, but after dinner and before dessert you could excuse yourself to "use the mens room" and then arrange to have the waiter bring her a card inside her dessert menu that says something romantic and tells her that a car is waiting for her out front. You, of course, will be waiting inside.

Just a thought! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[kevy_kev]

she said YES!
Didnt happen when away since no chance to talk to her father until our last day. But she did think the ring was at the jeweler until Friday so I had some element of surprise.
So, since she knew the engagement was coming she, of course, already has everything planned and wanted to look at a hall.

Its on a lake and on the other side is a gazebo that goes about 100 yards into the water. I said I wanted to go sit down since it was a nice night. We sat there for a little while and talked about the hall, life, ducks, how happy we both are, etc. Then I said wouldnt it be nice to be at our reception and look across the lake at where it all started. She got excited about the idea and said we could take pictures where we got engaged and continued on and on. I felt the time was right then so I got down on a knee and asked. She looked at me with such shock, it was just the reaction I was looking for! She said yes once she remembered how to talk again. I went back to the car to get my camera and pulled 3 roses and a Jessica Simpson wedding book she had wanted out from under the seat and left them. Went back to her, took some pictures and walked back to the car. When I opened the door she saw them and gave me more kisses.

We then made our rounds to tell the family.
picts of the ring to come if I find out how to get clear closeups

 

[chialea]

Yay! Congratulations on having it all come out well. That's a wonderful story to tell at your wedding, too

 

[reena]

THAT IS SO ROMANTIC

these stories always make me tear up. congrats!

 

[JimDiamond]

That is a great story. That is the way it's supposed to come out. There's another thread where someone feels that he ruined the surprise by his girlfriend finding out that he was ring shopping. But you've proven that surprise is still possible and can still make it an incredibly magic moment for both of you. The way you set the right mood, by just being in a beautiful place together, enhanced by the fact that she was already imagining her wedding there...that is magic. You proved you were prepared and thinking of her by having the ring and the roses and wedding book with you too. Best of luck to you.

 

[Judi W]

Happy story
Happy ending
So glad the surprise worked!!!!
All the best to you. I guess "Indy" will always hold warm memories for you both.

 

[fire&ice]

Congrats to you & Best Wishes to your fiancee!