And all I can think of are Stevie Wonder songs

For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me.

Perhaps it's just the sentimentality of it all, but I am one happy girl, floating on cloud nine. 

On February 5th, 2013 Thom proposed to me in Rochester and I of course said yes, yes, yes!  I can say, without a doubt, I was completely surprised and taken aback.  I was already in New York by myself for about three weeks prior and at the time, I was attending an amazing photographic workshop at the George Eastman House.  On the second night, when I was checking into my hotel, I turned around to find Thom waiting in the lobby.  (He flew out from San Francisco the night prior!)  I could feel his excitement as we both made our way in the hotel to find my room, when all of sudden he proposed right their in the hallway.  It was sweet and endearing.  I was crying and he was shaking, forgetting the speech that he had prepared in his mind and instead, saying something that was so much more real and truthful.  But they were exactly the right words and I didn't hesitate to give him that simple and lifelong answer, yes.

Thom and I had discussed making this commitment in the past and we have even looked at engagement rings over a year ago.  But this ring, Thom found and chose on his own.  I really couldn't be happier with it.  The center opal is fiery and full of life.  Every turn of my hand and the color changes.  The opal is set around some hand cut diamonds, each individually shaped and procured.  And the band is made of rose gold, my favorite kind which speaks of an older time and place.  The ring itself is over 100 years old and was probably made in the Victorian era.  I love the idea of a piece handed down over time and I think of this ring as one of kind.

 

I want to thank everyone that has reached out to us and shared our profound happiness and elation.  We can't wait to start this new chapter of our lives.  And it is all of you, you, and YOU, you know who you are, that makes us want to keep celebrating and sharing our love for a lifetime.