'Til Death Do Us Part

Today marks the thirteenth anniversary of my marriage to "Big. D."   (Cue the balloons, confetti, and champagne!)

As has become the tradition, I will again overshare the romantic story of how we got engaged and then married just a few days later on a tropical island:

It was 1999 and I was pregnant with our daughter. It was very much a planned pregnancy with the “out of wedlock” piece planned as well.  Shocking, I know.  I was once introduced as, “our son’s girlfriend who is pregnant with his child and whether or not they will get married nobody knows.”

Still, given both our previous experiences with the official marriage thing, we figured it was better to leave well enough alone. We actually liked each other. Why take unnecessary chances?

Instead, we planned a romantic St. Maarten getaway in June to celebrate the upcoming birth of our baby and enjoy some time alone together.  

A few days into the vacation, Rob and I went on a beautiful sunset cruise. Luckily I did not have issues with nausea on the catamaran as we sailed along.  Puking may have ruined the romantic moment. We were joined by four or five newly married couples, all aglow and basking in their “til death do us part”-ness.

Rob turned to me and said, “It feels kinda weird being surrounded by all these newlyweds and we’re not.”

I shrugged casually. (“Cool with me. Whatever.”)

He continued somewhat hesitantly, “Well, what... would you do... if I asked you... to marry me?”

I replied maybe too sarcastically, “Well, duh… I’m carrying your child so you’re stuck with me anyway.”

He held up his hand. On his pinky finger was a round diamond solitaire ring, “Well, will you? Marry me, that is?”

Okay – stop scene for a second.

Normally, this is where the woman says breathlessly, “Of course I will!” They hug and kiss. Everyone around them claps and happily cries "awwwwww!" The sun sets as they sail off into the horizon. Just two happy silhouettes starting their happy little lives together.

In my story, (well, what really happened), I responded to his proposal by laughing hysterically. Then, I punched him on the arm and said sardonically, “SHUT UP!” 

I looked around trying to figure out which chick had lent Rob her engagement ring so he could pull this prank on me. “Okay – give it back,” I said. “Very funny.”

Rob had a look of complete horror on his face. One, because when I punched him he sort of bobbled the ring. Keep in mind we were sitting on catamaran rope net traveling at a fast pace over ocean waters. (Luckily he didn’t actually drop it.) And two, he was suddenly not sure of my answer.

“No REALLY,” he said somewhat panicked. “Will you REALLY marry me?”

Okay… now you can refer to the traditional ending as described above.

A few days later, we were married near the ocean at our resort. The couples who had been on that cruise were our guests and witnesses. Our “reception” was a nice lunch followed by snorkeling.

And they lived happily….ever….after.

Happy Anniversary Babe!