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Holiday proposal goes “Hauntingly Well” at Disney World December 7, 2010

Dear Christy,

As promised, I am writing to share the news of the big night! It was a bit of a hassle because we had some time to kill between our dinner reservation and the proposal time…which was to be 6:26pm, in honor of my favorite Disney Character, Stitch (Experiment 626). We knew we wouldn’t want a wedding on 6/26 because that would be too hot, so I had to settle for time =). We got there, killed some time, I made up some lame excuse about the Holiday Haunted Mansion revealing an “exclusive” decoration inside at 6:30pm every night up until Christmas, so that kept us out of the lines. I asked to have our picture taken underneath Sandy Claws at the entrance, and she agreed, and then I turned to her and started quoting the famous line between Jack and Sally from the actual movie (My dearest friend, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you by your side, where we can gaze into the stars and sit together….*drop to a knee* Now and Forever). It was a really special moment…Everything fell perfectly into my plan, any other night because of the crowds it couldn’t have happened. So I’ve included a few pictures which include the last picture we ever took as boyfriend/girlfriend that stood for the reason to get into the position I wanted for the proposal, the actual proposal, and her immediate reaction when she realized everything was for real and she started crying immensely, leaving her face contorted and in an “unflattering” pose to her, haha. Thanks again for everything, the ring is wonderful and she loves it! Getting so many positive responses from everyone when they see it, it’s amazing.

Best Regards,

Newly Engaged Christopher

Is He the One?? February 17, 2010

Statue of David

So you have been dating for the required nine months or longer  and you are thinking that a proposal of marriage is the logical next step but are you really sure that is what you want? (ed. note: A collection of video proposals)

Sometimes we take that important next step because we have reached a certain age, we have dated a certain amount of time, or we want to start a family and the biological clock is ticking away! We want it and we enter into our commitment for some valid reasons, but maybe we need to step back and make sure we are not rushing things. Patience now can save years of heartache and pain later.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is your significant other well suited to you?
• Do you like the way he treats his family?
• Do you share the same values?
• Are you happy with the life path he has chosen?
• Are you happy with the person he is now? (Most likely he won’t be changing after you marry.)
• Can you say that you never ask yourself,  “Oh, he won’t behave that way after we are married” or “He’ll want children after we are married”?

If the answers to any of these questions are no, you should think about your relationship and whether you are in the right place. It is true like the song says that “breaking up is hard to do” but it will allow you to explore other opportunities and pay off in the long run.

Tips for the Perfect First Date February 5, 2010

There are few things more nerve racking than going out on that first date. What will you wear? What will you talk about? Where will you go and what will you do?

Once you get past all the wondering it’s time to relax and take things one step at a time. Do something that you enjoy to do. Wear what you are comfortable wearing. Now is not the time for a complete makeover and some four inch heels. You will most definitely be uneasy if you change your entire style for the date. Make sure your clothes are comfortable and that you are not constantly pulling on your waistband or worrying about tripping over your pants!

Now is also not the time to try out ice skating or even bowling if you have never done these things before or if your date has not.

Now is also not the time to try out ice skating or even bowling if you have never done these things before or if your date has not. Go someplace easy and keep the date to a few hours at most. Leave the exotic restaurant for the second or third date and choose someplace that offers a wide variety of options including some vegetarian choices.

The most important thing is to be yourself and to be honest about who you are. This does not mean rambling on about all of you personal business. Keep some things private until the relationship has time to grow.  Most importantly let your date know whether you have had a good time or if the connection was missing. That way you both are on the same page when the date is over.

A Valentine’s Day Classic – Dinner and a Movie January 28, 2010

How about dinner and a movie this Valentines’ Day? You can do the cooking or order in and rent a movie for a perfect and inexpensive evening of romance.

We have some movie suggestions for the most romantic night of the year.  If you want to go through a box of tissues opt for epic classics like “Casablanca”, “Titanic”, “Love Story”, “The “Notebook”, “The Way We Were”, or “An Officer and A Gentleman”.  If you like a little laughter through your tears  try “Ghost” “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”,” A Walk In The Clouds” or “Sleepless in Seattle”.  If you prefer lighter fare opt for “Moonstruck”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “Bridgette Jones’ Diary”, “How To Loose A Guy in Ten Days”, or “How I Married An Ax Murderer”. If these movies don’t stir your passion, you can view the top 50 romantics movies at IMDB.com and choose one yourself.

You can visit a cooking website like the FoodNetwork.com for some great romantic meal suggestions and they will even tell you how hard or easy the preparation will be so you don’t get in over your head. Just don’t forget the popcorn and have fun!

Check out our Valentine’s Day Jewelry Specials.

New Valentine’s Day Tradition January 26, 2010

source: funmunch.com

Valentine’s day is right around the corner and it’s not too early to start planning your day.  Tradition holds that couples present each other with sentimental cards and presents on the holiday devoted to love.

Many choose this day as the perfect opportunity for getting engaged or married. It’s a great anniversary on which to celebrate your love for each other.

My husband and I take this day and use it as an opportunity to pass on a kindness that was shown to us when we were a young couple. We had just finished eating dinner at a Chinese restaurant and had asked for the bill. When our waiter returned he informed us that the bill had been paid by someone else. The kind benefactor had enjoyed seeing  a couple in love sharing a meal and picked up our tab! We were quite flabbergasted and grateful to the kind stranger who we never saw.

Now every Valentine’s day we go out to a local restaurant choose some happy couple and anonymously pay their tab. It brings us much more joy than you can imagine discretely watching the shock and smiles from our unknowing recipients. We think this is the perfect Valentines present to each other and it has become our yearly tradition.

However you celebrate this special day we hope you enjoy many special moments and create some Valentine day traditions.

See our Valentine’s Day specials.

Telling Everyone You Are Engaged April 27, 2009

By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right diamond, engagement or wedding ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

5 Places to Consider Popping the Question February 23, 2009

You know that you want to marry her, you’ve picked out and purchased the ring-the only thing left to do is pop the question.  Figuring out where to ask your special someone to marry you is a difficult thing, but sometimes the solutions to difficult problems are only made difficult by our desire to make things perfect.

Remember that when you are asking your intended to marry you, it needs to come from a place of love and sincerity first and foremost.  Here are a few ideas for making that day a special one to remember for you and your future spouse.

Family Visit

Though visiting your future wife’s family can be challenging and stressful, it can also be a great opportunity to propose.  After speaking with her family and asking her father for permission to marry her, you may find that the time is right to ask her for her hand in marriage.  A proposal at her childhood home may be just the right thing to bring the past and present together.

Weekend Getaway

Planning a surprise weekend getaway to a place where neither of you have been is a great way to share new experiences and enjoy one another’s company with little or no distraction.  Do your research and find a unique place to ask for her hand in marriage ahead of time and she will remember that occasion forever.

Favorite Restaurant or Bar

Many couples have their special spot that they like to visit frequently.  If you are a regular at a particular restaurant or bar, your potential spouse may enjoy being proposed to surrounded by friendly faces in a familiar spot.  You will certainly be the subject of many stories for years to come and will certainly receive congratulations and kudos from others there who know you well.

First Date Sites

Take a trip down memory lane and recall those places where the two of you first got to know one another.  Perhaps you used to walk around a park after dinner or did something particularly fun and exciting one evening.  Revisiting these places can rekindle those early feelings of attraction and puppy love that got you two to where you are today.  Proposing in one of these places could be the right move and shows that you honor the past that you have shared together.

During a Favorite Activity

Many couples share a variety of common interests, whether it is going hiking together or attending live music performances.  During one of these kinds of activities, get on one knee and propose to your special someone.  It will not soon be forgotten and is more than likely not expected either.

More than any other factor, your proposal needs to come from the heart and should show thoughtfulness and consideration.  Make sure that this special occasion fits your relationship and reflects the type of life you wish to share together in the future.

This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of long distance dating. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Getting Engaged: What to Expect November 28, 2008

When two people are in love, it’s natural for them to begin considering marriage. They start thinking about what life might be like together. Some couples approach it casually while others obsess over the idea. Eventually, one partner may propose marriage to the other. If the other partner agrees, they become engaged. At that point, the expectation of both partners (along with their friends and families) is to get married sometime in the future.

Getting engaged is a major step forward for any relationship. In this article, we’ll describe what it means to be engaged to your partner. We’ll also provide a few tips regarding the engagement ring and how to deal with friends’ jealousy.

What Being Engaged Means

Western societies have followed the same approach to getting engaged for generations. Two people date for awhile until they decide to spend their lives together. Once a marriage proposal is offered and accepted, a date is usually set for them to be married.

Being engaged means preparing for a lifetime spent together in marriage. Any thoughts of pursuing other relationships are tossed away. Doubts regarding the level of commitment, trust, and intimacy between the partners should be resolved. In effect, engagement is a preparatory stage before marriage.

Knowing For Sure

So, how do you know that the person to whom you’re engaged is the one you’d like to spend the rest of your life with? It’s largely a matter of examining your goals. Besides enjoying the satisfaction of being in love with each other, you’ll need to understand how your goals fit in with those of your partner. For example, if you want to have children and raise a family, it’s important that your partner wants the same.

The Engagement Ring

When proposing marriage, the man will present his partner with an engagement ring. It signifies both a gift and a promise to be married. Prices are often lower than those for wedding rings. They’re simpler in design and sometimes lack gems or diamonds. More than ever, couples are shopping for engagement rings together. While doing so eliminates any chance of surprising one partner with a marriage proposal, it also ensures that the ring matches her taste and preference. It’s also a good idea to shop for a wedding ring at the same time as both rings will need to complement each other.

Dealing With Friends’ Jealousy

It’s not uncommon for the friends of one or both partners to feel jealous when their friend becomes engaged. Often, it’s due to a subtle competitiveness. That is, a friend may not be able to understand why they are not getting engaged themselves. If you have a friend who seems jealous, don’t let it slide. Be upfront about it and try to resolve the problem quickly. It’s fine to be humble about your engagement in an effort to not make them jealous. But, it’s also appropriate to be excited about it. You shouldn’t have to hide that excitement.

The Planning Begins

A lot of planning takes place between the two partners after the marriage proposal is accepted. In the short term, most of the planning is devoted to the upcoming wedding, reception, and honeymoon. In the long term, factors such as having children, buying a house, and other plans are considered. There’s a dramatic change in perspective between the two partners as they move from a dating relationship to planning their lives together.

Getting engaged is an exciting, and sometimes daunting, stage before marriage. By remaining communicative, loving, and considerate toward each other, both partners can approach their marriage confidently with anticipation for what lies ahead.

Falling In Love: A Natural Progression November 21, 2008

Most couples who have spent a significant amount of time building their relationship with each other eventually fall in love. It’s a natural evolution of their bond. But, it’s also an indefinable stage that is often difficult to identify. Millions have asked themselves, “Am I in love with my partner?” Some are confused by what that means. Others misinterpret harmful emotions (for example, jealousy and obsession) as love.

In this article, we’ll explore the nature of love and how it grows. We’ll also describe some of the signs which suggest that it exists in your relationship.

Understanding The Nature Of Love

Often, it’s easier to define love based upon what it isn’t. A lot of people mistakenly think that certain emotions they’re feeling represent love. For example, lust is commonly thought to signify something more than it is. Or, one partner may be so passionate about the other that physical or emotional abuse occurs in the relationship. Neither instance signifies love.

When you love somebody, the feeling transcends the physical. You feel attached to the other person in a way that you don’t feel with others. The level of physical and emotional commitment is greater than with anyone else. And while love translates into intimacy, the willing vulnerability to which you expose yourself to your partner dwarfs that which you experience in all other relationships.

Trust Grows

While love can encompass a myriad of qualities, mutual trust is one of the most important. And it expands much further than simply trusting that your partner won’t cheat physically. In this context, it means that you trust your partner implicitly. You trust that he or she will not betray you or the relationship on a physical or emotional level. As your love grows, so too does your level of trust. Eventually, that trust reaches the point at which you’re unable to even conceive of your partner betraying you.

Intimacy Issues

Intimacy issues plague many couples. But, it’s important to understand what true intimacy is. And it’s equally important to realize that issues surrounding it don’t necessarily preclude love. For many couples, a lack of physical intimacy may be a problem, though they love and trust each other implicitly. Issues involving emotional intimacy are often more severe. For example, an emotional disconnection can be a warning sign that love is waning. A lack of communication may also represent deeper issues.

Signs That You’re In Love

So, how do you know when you’re in love? Unfortunately, it’s often hard to tell because it involves two people so deeply on various physical and emotional levels. That said, there are signs. For example, if your partner is late, your initial reaction may be concern for their safety. Or, you may begin to miss them horribly when they’re away. Also, small things may constantly remind you of your partner.

Enjoying Your Partner

A true manifestation of love is found in the level of commitment, trust, physical and emotional intimacy, and mutual attachment that you enjoy with your partner. It’s a confluence of several factors and any one factor does not, in and of itself, represent love. Some claim that loving your partner is more than mere emotion. It is, in effect, a choice that you make. And that choice helps to sustain the relationship during times when any one of the above factors falters.

In the end, falling in love is about enjoying your partner on a level that no other person can hope to experience. It’s about being vulnerable, yet trusting. It’s about sharing yourself physically and emotionally, knowing that the commitment will be reciprocated. Falling in love is a natural progression toward a lifetime with your partner.

Signs of Affection – Diamond Earrings November 14, 2008

Simple, yet elegant. Diamond earrings are instantly recognizable for their unique sparkle and their ability to mesmerize onlookers without calling undue attention to themselves. After dating someone for several weeks or months, you may want to give her a symbol of your affection. Something to let her know that she’s special to you. Diamond earrings can make the perfect gift. They have a natural versatility and can be worn with virtually any outfit or dress. But, buying them can be a challenge for those who have never done so. In this article, you’ll learn about the cut, clarity, and color of diamonds, as well as how to buy them as a gorgeous gift when you are on a budget.

When You’re On A Budget

Despite what some people believe, diamond earrings are not necessarily expensive. While some can cost over $200,000, others can be purchased for as little as $225. The price you can expect to pay will depend largely upon the carats. There are also other factors that can influence the price, including the cut, clarity and color of the diamonds used in the earrings.

There are a number of places from which you can purchase diamond earrings. You are unlikely to find the best deals at high-profile shops such as Tiffany’s. Instead, check with the jewelry shops in your area. They may have the earrings you need on consignment. Also, check estate sales. Don’t be put off by the prospect of buying used diamond earrings. Age and use have no impact upon the perfection of a diamond’s cut, clarity, or color.

Cut And Clarity

All diamond earrings use stones that have been cut and polished according to certain precise guidelines. For example, a Round brilliant typically has 33 facets on the top half of the stone and 24 facets on the bottom half. The purpose of these guidelines is to help ensure that the stones can scatter light properly. The more precise the cut, the more sparkle the diamond earrings can offer. The precision of the cut will have an impact on the stone’s value. Keep that in mind when purchasing the earrings for your dating partner.

The clarity of the diamond reflects whether flaws exist within the stone. Most diamonds have inherent flaws. Like the cut of a stone, a diamond’s clarity can have a significant impact on its value.

Does Color Matter?

Colorless diamond earrings will allow more light to pass through and scatter than those with some grade of color. They are graded by their level of whiteness, starting from “D” and progressing through “Z.” As you may imagine, the less color the stones have, the more valuable they are. It is important to note that stones graded “G” will have no color that is perceptible to the unaided eye. Buying diamond earrings with a “G” grade for your partner will help you save money without sacrificing obvious quality.

The Perfect Gift

Diamond earrings make a perfect gift for your partner for a number of reasons. First, they are comparatively inexpensive. Through careful, educated shopping, you can find remarkable deals. Second, they look gorgeous and can be worn as part of any ensemble. Last, and most important, giving your partner diamond earrings communicates a level of commitment and love. Simple diamond stud earrings will last a lifetime and serve as a memory of your adoration and dedication to your relationship with her.

Most people are familiar with the saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Diamond earrings may be one of the best ways to say, “I love you.”

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