Christmas Talent

For Christmas I went down to Sacramento to be with Derek and his extended family. The main reason was that they did not know he had already proposed. I walk into the house where everyone is and their jaws drop. No one knew I was coming except for Derek, Rebecca and his brother. There were 30 people there. In Derek's family you have to do a talent to get your presents, which is so fun! Singing, poems, feet of strength and favorite things wresting match topped the talents. Mine was to play the piano. I started out with chopsticks, they didn't go for it, so I started to play Prelude in C. I was so nervous I could only play the first 10 or so measures before my fingers wouldn't work anymore. Derek's talent was to tell the story of how we met and to 'pop' the question. I think he was just as nervous as I was. The story went out the window. Instead he said he wanted to give me this! And he held up the ring. Keep in mind that everyone is either sitting on the floor or on a chair and Derek is standing up. No one could really see the ring and arms length above his head. After one of the kids asked "What is it?" he lowered it and gasps and hoots spread throughout the room! Grandma practically jumped out of her chair and forced her way through the group of people surrounding us and hugged Derek and I.  Someone in the back, I think Mitch, yelled "Kiss her!" and he did!! I got the John Wayne kiss! If you don't know what that is you need to watch any of his movies. It was a pretty good kiss. He was just as nervous as I was, I could feel his shaking. They all asked what my answer was and of course I said YES!
This was the talent of the ages!!!

Engagment

On December 4th, Derek sawed down his first Christmas tree with my family! After finding its perfect place in the living room and trimming it so it fits, Derek and I started to decorate the tree. Its coming along quite nice. A quick break for lunch and back to decorating. Derek is sitting on the floor separating bulbs and handing me ornaments. I keep hanging the special ornaments on the right places on the tree. I see a little silver box nestled in the tree.Inside the box is a diamond ring! I turn to Derek and ask how long its been there. He said since lunch. I put up about 3 ornaments until I found it. All I could do was smile and look at him. He stood up and hugged me and asked if I would marry him. Of course I said yes! Hugs and kisses. My parents came in and saw the look on my face and instantly knew! Mom got mushy which in turn made me mushy. More hugs and smiles and soon my cheeks started to hurt. Picture after picture, I am still seeing spots. I am so excited.