The official "here's-the-ring-will-you-marry-me?" proposal

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December 5th, 2008.

I had just worked a 12 at the hospital, and came home in quite the good mood. By lucky-happenstance that day, the workload had been light, and the patients pleasant.

Upon arrival home, I said my usually, "Hello, Lyle!" And gave a smile to my honey, who was busying himself in the kitchen. 

Lyle looked especially mellow and happy behind the stove. And as I took off my stethoscope and emptied my pockets of bandages and tape, he stood in the dining area with a chilled bottle of Spanish bubbly, and declared, "How 'bout some champagne tonight?"

I raised a brow. "What for?"

"To celebrate our togetherness!"

Lyle looked so...ebullient. Yes, he embodied that S.A.T. word to the hilt.

I sure didn't want to be the one to harsh his happy vibe, and his joy was so infectious. I said, "Sure, let me just get out of my scrubs and into my p.j.'s."

We sat down for an awesome vegetarian meal. Quinoa, spinach and collard greens (my fave). It was nothing hoity-toity, but it's just what I like after a day at the hospital. Light, green and simple.

Oh, yeah. And we popped the champagne.

Well, sippin' champagne with a light vegetarian meal soon turns to a giggly buzz, and I was all laughs. Everything Lyle did was crackin' me up. Not too unusual with my Lyle...just a lot more pronounced. 

Soon we were sitting on the couch, lights dimmed, listening to good music. Me asking questions. Lyle providing answers. 

Lyle is a veritable plethora of music and music history information. When it comes to music, he's my Encyclopedia Beers-tanica.

At one point, Lyle got up and said he had to get something. I continued to chill on the sofa with the Spanish fizzing drink and my happy thoughts.

Lyle returned to the living room, then stood over me, and held up a perfectly square box with a bow, and said, "I got you some chocolate."

"Some chocolate, eh?" I replied with a questioning look.

Then he opened it.

Now, try to recall the scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark when the ark is opened and all this magnificent glimmering light is emitted. That is exactly what happened next.

Literally.

The little square box contained a tiny (but powerful) LED light in the top lid, that brightly shone upon opening the box. And inside the box? A beautiful diamond engagement ring.

I laughed SO much!

Lyle was delighted. He would shut the box. Then open it again. I would roll around and laugh some more. Then beg him to "Do it again! Do it again!"

Finally I said, "Is there something you want to ask me?"

Lyle looked quizzical. "You want me to ask you?!"

I gave a frown and a pout. "Yes, I want you to ask me!"

He feigned a sigh. Then smiled, "Will you marry me, Delia?"

"Yes. Yes, I will, Lyle Beers."

We kissed a bunch. Snuggled some more. Finished the bubbly. Then snapped a few pics on my laptop to commemorate the occasion. 

Now let me speak plainly—I love—love, love my sparkly engagement ring—

—but I still love my Lyle Beers more! :D

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