We interrupt this nonsense for an important announcement...

Sparks is now engaged. Yeah, for those of you in the know, I have reasons for not waiting until the cruise. So this is what happened: K and I were hanging out and chatting last night after dinner. As I happily reclined against her I chuckled and said:

Me: Doesn't it seem silly now that you gave me that speech a long time ago when you said you thought I could do better?"

K: No, I still think that is true.

Me: What? Are you insane?

K: No, think about it. I can't offer you anything. I am poor, I don't have a job, a car, I live with my mom, I have a kid, I won't be out of school for many years, I mean, I can't offer you anything and you deserve someone who can give you as much as you deserve.

This went on for a few more minutes and I decided I couldn't let her continue to devalue herself that way. K gives me more than she can ever know. She truly appreciates me for me. Just me. How long have I been waiting for that? She is kind, generous, loving, smart... how could she not see all she is to me? Well, I figured she couldn't, unless she saw I was really serious. As she sat on the couch in near tears I said, "Wait a minute" and grabbed the box out of the bedroom and stuffed it in my pocket. I came back and knelt on one knee and said,

Me: Baby, you know I love you, and you know I love Galen. I want you to be my family. Do you love me?

K: Yes, of course.

Me: How long do you want to be with me?

K: As long as you will have me.

I pull out the ring box and open it.

Me: How about forever?

She sits there stunned. She looked both amazed and scared and so, so happy. Her eyes welled up with tears and she couldn't say anything.

Me: Will you marry me?

She still can't speak. Tears are streaming down her face and she just slowly nods. Finally after several stunned moments and more mute nodding she whispers:

K: Yes.