Now, we have been "Facebook officially" engaged since April, but we were separated by a few oceans and it was more the result of a string of conversations and decisions about our future than an actual proposal. At the end of March, after setting a tentative date with my close family, I purchased an incredible, unique wedding dress. Poon and I decided that since my family knew and his family knew, we might as well announce it to the world - and since we have so many friends spanning the globe, it was quite literally to the world! At this point I was ok with not ever getting a "down on one knee" proposal. In Thai tradition, that kind of engagement ritual is not practiced, so Poon had no idea how to even go about "proposing". Plus, our relationship is anything but traditional so I had already thrown out all of my preconceived ideas of what an engagement and wedding should be like.
That being said, Poon is actually very traditional. Once he found out what the typical American engagement entailed, he told me he would buy me a ring when he could save enough money. I should also add that he was mortified that he had not asked my father for his permission before announcing our engagement. And me, being the dummy that I am, didn't even think to let him know that would be important to my dad. Gahhh.
When the summer rolled around and I arrived in Thailand, he immediately starting pulling me over to every single jewelry stand in Udon Thani. And there are a lot of them! After a month of looking around, we were in Central Plaza Mall and happened to stop at yet another jewelry counter. I saw a few rings that I liked but I wasn't in love with any of them. But then I saw it. It was in a circular, red velvet box tucked back in a corner. I immediately picked it up and put it on, and was instantly crushed that it was about two sizes too big. Poon, having seen the look on my face when I first saw it, came over to take a look. He asked the sales clerk if they had the same ring in a smaller size, but it was the only one. Being a traveling vendor, they were unable to resize it. I put the ring back in its box reluctantly and we walked away. Poon drove me across town to another store that sold rings hoping I would find something else I liked. But looking at more rings just made me love that one even more. I kept saying "Man, I really wish that ring at Central had been smaller". After a bit more pouting on my part, Poon asked the guy at this store if they could resize a ring purchased elsewhere. Upon hearing that they were willing to do it, we
I wasn't sure when he was going to have the ring resized, and I tried to behave by not asking him. One day we were shopping at Tesco Lotus (the Thai equivalent of Target) and while I was checking out he went "to go look at something". As I was heading out of the store, I saw him at the jewelry counter, so he had to fess up that he had snuck the ring out to get it fitted. He made up a bunch of excuses about why they couldn't get it sized for a while and I didn't even question it.
During the time the ring was getting sized, Poon and I were Skyping with my dad and stepmom. We talked for a good hour or so, most of which Poon spent quietly listening. Right before we were about to hang up, Poon said, "Wait Dad, I have to ask you one question. I bought a ring for married for Chrissy. I want to ask you if I can give her the ring?" I was shocked, and I think my dad was surprised too. We had discussed it, but I figured he might just send him a Facebook message. Having him ask out loud and as face-to-face as we could be was really special.
It just so happened that my birthday coincided perfectly with my Thai visa expiring. In order to get a new visa, I usually just pop over the border to Vientiane, Laos and apply at the Thai consulate there. This requires an overnight stay while they process the visa, which gave us a whole day and a half off of work to celebrate my birthday away from Ricefields! We had gone together for a visa run last year, but didn't have time to do much in the city. We had eaten at an amazing little French restaurant during that quick trip and we knew we wanted to return there for another dinner.
So the night of my birthday we walked along the Mekong River enjoying people watching and checking out all of the little boutiques and cafes. I had curled my hair for the occasion and was doing my best to keep my chambray shirt over my head to avoid the rain that was starting to fall lightly. My hair arrived at the restaurant mostly intact. The restaurant, Le Vendome, is adorable and quaint and French, and was a really nice relaxing way to enjoy a birthday meal.
We split a margherita pizza (which was salty and cheesy and delicious) and a lasagna. Poon really enjoyed the food!
Then for dessert - which was the real reason we went back - we ordered the baked pear with chocolate drizzled over top. I don't even like pears, but this dessert is amazing. And it was just as good as we remembered it.
After dessert, Poon suggested I use the restroom while he payed the bill. Of course I argued for about 5 minutes that I would just use it after the bill was paid and we were about to leave. Poon insisted that I go to use it right away. I finally gave in and reminded him to not leave the table since I was leaving my bag there.
A few minutes later I emerged from the restroom to find my bag sitting at our table alone, without Poon. I was so annoyed! I had JUST asked him not to get up and leave it there. I sat down, fuming quietly. Suddenly, bright flashes of light began erupting around me. Confused, I turned to see one of the waiters holding my camera and snapping photos of me. Poon walked out from behind me and kneeled down. It wasn't until that moment that I realized what he was doing. I started smiling like a lunatic while he held my hand and asked if I would wear his "ring for married".
It was a really nice night, and even though I had accepted not having an American-style proposal, I am really happy that Poon planned one out so well and even had someone there to photograph it! I especially loved that he chose to set it up at a place we love and had built memories at the year before.
The bling.
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