Loose Diamond Engagement Article:
Marc and Jessica

  His parents knew of his engagement plans, and her parents also knew. She had a slight suspicion, but wasn’t sure. Summer 2003 was fabulous. Two years of college behind them and a limitless world ahead of them. They were young and impatient—unwilling to settle for the ordinary life of twenty-year old college students—ready to get on with life.

  She said the diamond engagement ring had to be antique with "lots of action". The size of the diamond didn’t matter as long as it was a princess-cut and flawless. The boy and his dad set out for the search and a trusted diamond wholesaler. As best he could, the boy described to the jeweler the engagement ring setting he was seeking. It had to be exact. The jeweler reached into his desk, took out a box and opened it. "You mean like this?" he said. The boy shouted with victory. Bring on the loose diamonds from which to pick a center stone. This part was easy! The boy planned a romantic walk on the beach during their upcoming family vacations for the purpose of popping the question and presenting the engagement ring.

  Tragedy struck. The diamond engagement ring would not be ready before the couple left to meet her parents at the beach. His parents would have to pick up the engagement ring and take it to another beach where they would be vacationing—the couple planning to join his parents about mid-week.

  Breathlessly his parents awaited the day when the diamond ring would be ready. The weight of this important task was heavy upon them. There was no room for error. The happiness and future of their son depended upon everything going perfectly. His dad called and checked—yes, the ring was ready. The dad asked the jeweler how the diamond engagement ring turned out. The jeweler simply said, "She’ll say yes."

  His mom was trying to anticipate the "event" through the eyes of the girl. She bought her a flowing sundress to wear when the couple took their fateful walk on the beach. "How will we convince her to put on a new dress for a walk on the beach?" his mom wondered. Oh well, some things will just have to work themselves out.

  The diamond ring was picked up and packed with care in the suitcase. Only an armored truck could have offered a more secure transport. His parents arrived at the beach and waited until the next day when the couple arrived to join the rest of the family.

  Within ten minutes of their arrival the boy had the ring in his pocket and was pacing around the beach house like a tiger cub demanding his next adventure. The girl put on the new dress without much resistance and together they set out down the board walk toward the beach. The boy’s parents considered it an honor to be able to watch their first walk together as future man and wife.

  The boy walked her to a place on the beach where there would be a clear view from the beach house. The boy’s parents, siblings, and grandparents watched from the balcony as the boy got down on one knee and spoke the rehearsed words. The balcony spectators could almost see the beautiful diamond engagement ring sparkling with life, future and promise. With her head thrown back, laughing and jumping, there was no mistaking her response. Like the jeweler had predicted—she said yes.