Engagement Complete

I once saw a feature on a television programme about the rationale for giving expensive engagement rings. The presenter suggested the original rationale (way back when) was this: if the man were to break off the engagement, the woman would have some financial compensation for the damage done to her reputation (by his rejection). The presenter rightly remarked that this rationale is now rather archaic. I like to think we live in more enlightened times, when broken engagements, horrible and painful though they may be, don't lead to be people being shunned or treated differently than anyone else.

This naturally raises some questions: isn't the traditional arrangement rather sexist? Not only is the giving of gifts one-sided (getting engaged is nice for BOTH of us right?), there is a presumption that the man is the flaky one, more likely to break off the engagement than the woman. If it is sexist, then why do we keep doing it?

Happily I somehow convinced Laura that we should once again subvert tradition by exchanging gifts of equal value in celebration of our engagement. Of course this is a more expensive course of action, which is why it took until yesterday for us to complete our engagement gift giving.

Yesterday saw the arrival of a beautiful new guitar, which was my preferred way of celebrating our engagement - and something I intend to enjoy for the rest of our life together. I know they won't mean much to many of you, but here are some pictures of what is truly the most wonderful instrument I have ever played...

The Good News

Something wonderful happened on Saturday, January 13th: Andrew proposed, and I accepted.


(Thanks to Lucy for the photo!)

It was a wonderful, terrifying, completely surprising moment, and I am still recovering. We both walk around with silly grins. I am trying out the word 'fiancé' and calling everyone I know. (not calling them 'fiancé', of course...) Until we know more about where we will be living (due to jobs, PhDs, etc) we are trying our very hardest not to talk too much about plans and dates and practical things like that. But the reality check is made easier by my beautiful new ring...





(Andrew discovered that it's surprisingly difficult to take good pictures of a diamond ring!)

Sparkle, sparkle.