Pssst - I've Got A Not-So-Secret!

I realized today that I have not yet posted here about the most important thing to that happened on our vacation: they boyfriend and I are engaged!

That's right, my loveable EVR (there's some link love, love ;) Make sure and visit his blog and encourage him on, he needs some nudging to post more often) and I will be getting married. Of course, Illinois failed to act upon it's Civil Unions bill last session, but that doesn't mean it won't have enacted something come time for us to officially tie the knot. While the legal rights and protections will be very nice, we're really excited to be able to declare our love and intention to spend our lives together.

So how did it all go down? Our last night at the resort, I asked him if he'd like to take a stroll on the beach at night. Well, I more or less told him that we were going for a walk, but that's just a tiny detail ;) After dinner, we made our way down to the white sand and started wandering to the sound of the soft waves. There was only one large flood light keeping the beach lit, which just so happened to shut off as we came to a stop on the beach, which provided us an excellent chance to gaze up at the stars and see the skies like we never can anywhere near Chicago. Just then, I came up behind my bear and asked if he could see himself spending his life with me, to which he said yes. Then I pulled out the ring and asked if he would spend his life with me.

He turned around and smiled and say emphatically yes. And for the first time in our relationship, he was speechless ;)

No, we haven't locked things down on dates, etc., yet, but we are think that our regular anniversary would be a nice date, and it would be a nice Summer day. Having something here in Chicago is pretty well established as well. As for what, we're still working on it. Given that our state provides no legal protections for our relationship, and given that neither of us are religious folk, a semi-traditional wedding doesn't seem to be right for us. We are considering legally consummating our marriage in one of the states that does afford legal rights, but that would be something for just the two of us. However, we definitely do want a celebration here in our home city. But there's still time to figure that all out.

He'll be getting me an engagement ring as well. I considered getting one for myself when I got his, but I picked a ring for him that I thought was very "me" for him to wear, and I'd like him to pick a ring that's very "him" for me to wear. I can't wait.

In short, I'm one happy homo!