Vespremis
Our Engagement
I planned the engagement to coincide with our one year anniversary. With this date in mind, I chose paper, the traditional one-year anniversary material as the basis for my proposal. Since Ren, the boys, and I were starting a new life together as a family of four, this paper gift was to be inclusive of the kids. This led me to choose the paper fortune teller, or chatterbox, recalled from childhood, as the vehicle for asking for her to marry me. The folded, four-quadrant paper device would be presented in a decorative paper box.
The ring was procured months earlier from my friend Jared, a jeweler in San Francisco, and had been tucked away waiting for the anniversary day to arrive. Jared designed the ring from the art deco period with a 100+-year-old sapphire at its center ranked by diamonds, the traditional wedding gemstones. The sapphire, Ren’s favorite gemstone, generally represents wisdom, virtue, and good fortune, but in the context of engagement, also faithfulness and sincerity. Additionally, the deep blue of the sapphire is reflective of our shared love of the ocean and will define the color and theme of our wedding.
Initially, the proposal was to take place at the Pulgas Water temple off Canada Road (in keeping with the water theme) followed by dinner at NOLA, a Louisiana-style restaurant chosen to give the boys a taste of Ren's roots. Because Liam was under the weather the day of, a last-minute change swapped this for a home-cooked candlelit dinner in Pacifica. Under the soft glow of candlelight, donated by my sons from their personal candle collections, Ren opened the paper box with the folded paper game inside. She picked the color, which dictated the number of openings and closings, and ultimately led to the question of “Will you marry me?”
With that, the ring appeared in its own box to accompany it. She answered yes without hesitation and champagne followed to celebrate the moment.
Now it was my turn. (This is Ren)
I of course had no idea that David was going to propose on our one-year anniversary. Needless to say, I was elated and couldn't wait to celebrate our family. We were already heading up to Tahoe for my birthday, hoping to time our trip with first snow. After a day hanging out on the ropes course and a supper celebrating our new POTUS, we all got cozy by the fire and I surprised each of the boys with a sterling silver wave pendant which holds a sapphire in the center. I gifted David a 100+ year old art deco tie pin with three sapphires (a sapphire for me, Liam, and Isaac) separated by two pearls, all encapsulated by a sterling silver wave. We finished the evening playing Jenga and sipping on hot cocoa and champagne. The next morning we woke up to 6 inches of snow, more than double what was predicted, which provided nicely for a snow fort and a pretty epic snowball attack on me. It was a perfectly timed, fun, and truly special first family getaway.
On November 14th we hosted our socially-distanced-backyard-picnic-engagement party centered around the theme of being "thankful to be together" where family and friends were able to safely enjoy themselves. Picnic blankets were spaced 6 feet apart with individual baskets filled with pre-wrapped goodies and petite Proseccos to toast after we all went around and shared what we are each grateful for and are looking forward to in 2021. It was so good to be together and hear of the struggles of this year and of the concerns, joys, and hope for what’s ahead. It was a lovely, delightful, and absolutely perfect way to celebrate our engagement. Here’s to the next chapter for us all!
