Engaged at Work

I decided to wear The Ring to the office and start leaking the news of our engagement but I wasn't sure how to proceed. Say something? Email? Let people discover the prismatic bling on their own? Suddenly do everything left handed?

I opted to plant a seed during a stroll to the credit union with Grace. She didn't notice The Ring, but on the way back, she asked me about my trip. I said it was very nice to spend time with Mike--and that I got a surprise while I was there. Held up the left hand and let The Ring say the rest. She gasped, then hugged and congratulated me. (Hey, this part's fun!)

Then came the questions: When is the wedding? Will it be this year? Is Mike moving here? What do my parents think? Asked how the proposal happened (The Burbank Airport, a concrete bench and thou).

I was vague about our plans other than to say Mike had seen an opening at Claremont (true) and his summer schedule allows him to do research anywhere there's an internet connection.

By then, we were back in our building and G steered me toward Yvonne's office to share the news. That way G could convey the gist of the news and I could beam and add details as needed. Y was also happily congratulatory and came over to see The Ring up close. Also started with the questions: When's the wedding? Mike's coming here, yes? Now you have to start making decisions, she says--the wedding dress, bridesmaids, cakes, etc. I pretended to run away, overwhelmed with the details (which is also true about 60% of the time). I will take her advice: keep the wedding simple. Insofar as I can.

I probably could have worn the ring around for a week or two without anyone noticing, but it's nice to have at least the engagement part out in the open. Now I just have to keep the wedding planning--and how far along the planning is--stealthy until I announce my departure.