I promise...

Last night I had no fewer than three people ask me if I'm seeing anyone.  It kind of made me laugh, because I know they just want me to be happy and they think I'm worth dating.  I'm usually not offended when people wonder about my love life.  One of them, a dear elderly man, said he couldn't understand why I wasn't married yet.  He said I was attractive, talented, and smart; I smiled and thanked him and told him I would definitely let him know when I started dating someone.

When I get engaged, I want everyone in the world to know it.  I want them to know that it was worth the wait and all the prayers and tears and questions.  I also want them to know that it is better to be single than to be in a rotten relationship.

I want everyone to see my engagement ring.  I know engagement rings have a controversial history, but I want one.  I want a visible symbol of love and commitment, but when it comes down to it, I'll be happy with something very simple like a plain band.  I want to marry someone observant and thoughtful enough to ignore convention and not be pressured into buying a big diamond just because everyone says he has to.  I want to marry someone who wants to buy me pretty things. 

Let's be honest, though, I do want a really sparkly ring.  And I WILL show it off every chance I get.