There's nothing like a custom designed engagement ring to make a girl feel special. No really, there isn't. I have the best fiancee in the world. Really, she is.
The story starts off right after the actual engagement happens. We are back at the hotel and I am admiring my new perfectly fitting ring.
Candice: Do you like it?
Me: Yes, of course. It's lovely.
Candice: Do you love it?
Me: Honey, I just said it is lovely.
Candice: You never use the world lovely.
Me: Yes I do.
CANDICE LOOKS AT ZINA AS IF TO CALL B.S.
Me: Well, I've never had a ring to call lovely before.
Candice: What's wrong with it?
Me: What?
Candice: You don't love it.
Me: It's...
Candice: Please don't say lovely. My head will explode. Just tell me...
Me: I love it babe.
Candice: Now you are saying you love it.
Me: You are being crazy. Stop. Look at it. It fits perfectly. How often does that happen?
Candice: Am I being crazy? Or do I just know you really, really well.
ZINA CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE A LITTLE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT SHE DOES WHEN SHE GETS UNCOMFORTABLE OR IS CAUGHT IN AN UNTRUTH.
Candice: Just tell me...
Me: I love the stone! You know my favorite color is green AND it's emerald like Emerald City from my favorite musical Wicked which is amazing. So thoughtful!
Candice: But...
Me: No BUT. It's so meaningful babe...
Candice: And...
SIXTY SECOND PAUSE
Me: And... the green is very bright and green green. Green. Green is my favorite color.
Candice: Stop saying green. It's greener than I thought it would be as well. Is it too green? Honestly. What do you think of the setting?
Me: It's lovely.
CANDICE SHAKES HER HEAD
Candice: My head is going to explode.
And this conversation eventually led to us eventually going online to look at the website of a modern jeweler that has been in the neighborhood I grew up in ever since I can remember. In fact, I had often wandered by the tiny boutique jewelry shop as a kid and marveled at the ornate sparkly designs carefully displayed in the window, thinking...one day maybe I will have one of those shiny cool things.
Long story short, because I have the best and most patient fiancee in the world, she mails back the emerald ring and arranges to have her original concept for the design of the ring custom made by the neighborhood jeweler whose work I grew up admiring. The result: A gorgeous ring with a green sapphire proudly displayed in a modern style setting.
And when we both went to pick it up in Cincy, there was a bottle of champagne, roses, and a sparkling white ring box waiting for us. As I open the box, we both gasp.
ZINA GETS TEARY EYED
Me: It's gorgeous!
CANDICE SMILES FROM EAR TO EAR
Candice: Now there's the word and face I was looking for, right there!
ZINA AND CANDICE KISS
ZINA LEARNS WIFE TO BE LESSON #1: Speak what's on your mind, don't ever try to hide what you are thinking because Candice will always call your bluff.
