Shannon here: Lorna Seilstad shares insight into her real life romance with an unusual proposal. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy of Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers, a novella collection that includes Lorna’s title, More Precious Than Rubies. Deadline: March 10th, 11:59 pm central. Here’s Lorna:
Today, there is a lot of pressure on guys to create the perfect proposal moment. They arrange the occasion with every detail covered including someone to take video footage. There are even companies which specialize in helping some of the less romantically challenged fellows.
My husband’s proposal didn’t involve anything elaborate, and he didn’t even get down on one knee, but it had a charm all of its own. We were headed to Kentucky Fried Chicken for supper when he said he wanted to stop at a local park first.
This park was one of our favorite places and had a beautiful fountain. As we walked to the fountain, he was acting—well, a little odd. He asked what I thought of what Jane, his assistant, had said after I’d worked by his side during the last week. He worked for Extension, which meant he was in charge of the 4-H side of the county fair. At the end, his assistant said, “You’d better get a big diamond for all this.”
So, when he asked me that in the park, I just laughed. “Sure, I think big is good.”
I had no idea what he was thinking. He said, “So, if you were to ‘buy chicken’, when would you want to do it?”
Buy chicken? Really?
You have to know David to follow his bouncing verbal ball sometimes, and I’d had two years of practice. I knew what he meant.
“I wouldn’t want to wait for a long time. Less than a year.”
Then, sitting by the fountain, we planned the whole “chicken buying” experience from the date to attendants without using the word marriage.
In a quirky sort of way, it was very romantic, but David knew I’d want the other kind, too. Since he’d inherited a ring from his aunt with a marquis diamond, we had it put in a setting we designed. It would be perfect, but I had to wait, however, to get the ring.
Since I was living in my parents’ basement and teaching at the high school, I had to get up every day at 6 a.m. One day, he arranged with my parents to let him in the house at 5:30. He’d brought everything to make a breakfast tray, including a rose in a bud vase. While I was still sleeping, he set up the tray and put my engagement ring on it.
He then brought it down to my bedroom and woke me with the romantic surprise and slipped the ring on my finger.
Twenty-eight years later, we’re still “buying chicken” together.
About Lorna: Lorna Seilstad brings history back to life using a generous dash of humor. She is a Carol Award finalist and the author of the Lake Manawa Summers series and the Gregory Sisters series. When she isn’t eating chocolate, she’s teaches women’s Bible classes and is a 4-H volunteer in her home state of Iowa. She and her husband have three children. Learn more about Lorna at www.lornaseilstad.com.
About the collection – Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers: 
While on the hunt for the Cass Markham Gang, seven Texas Rangers run straight into romance! With help from their commanding officer and his matchmaking wife, each man set up with a seemingly unsuitable bride who seems intent on ruining his future.
In Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers, sweet and fiercely loyal Violet Tatienne is the daughter of jeweler and a jewelry designer in her own right. After her father is injured in a debilitating accident, she’s determined to keep his store running. When he sends her to San Antonio to pick up a shipment of jewels, she promises to return with the treasures safely in hand.
About Lorna’s novella – More Precious Than Rubies: On the train, her first love, fun-loving charismatic Texas Ranger Whit Murray lands in the seat next to her. But when bandits attack the train, even he can’t stop the thieves from taking the jewels.
The two of them must work together to find the thieves. Even though their differences drive them apart, the meddling commander’s wife keeps pushing them together. Can they find the missing gemstones and still discover the real treasure is in each other?
Question for Readers: Do you have any pieces of jewelry with a special story? Please share your story gems.
Come back March 6th for Ane Mulligan!
I have a locket that my husband bought me on our 1st anniversary…..27 years ago.
I have my grandmother’s engagement ring
I have a gold band from my maternal grandmother. Her father gave it to her when she was ten, and it was worn on a chain around her neck. I wear it the same way, and it makes me feel close to her.
Loved the post! I have a ring that my mother gave me. When we came to the US, she had two rings made – one for me and one for my brother’s future wife. We both treasure the rings.
I have a gold “floating heart” necklace that Todd gave to me on our first (I think?) Valentine’s Day when we were dating. I was all of 16. The chain finally broke, and I need to buy another one (maybe a longer one, lol!), but I wouldn’t take anything for it. That and my engagement ring – which I still wear – are my priceless possessions!
When my girls were small I let them play with a ring that was my husband’s grandmothers. I thought it was costume jewelry. I later found out it was a very good quality amethyst. My husband had it made into a beautiful necklace.
I didn’t really like the engagement ring my husband gave me, and the wide band it was set on would cause my finger to break out with eczema. So, I never really wore the ring, and considered selling it a few times.
Then, one year I decided I would have it made into a wedding band style ring. So we went to the jeweler, picked out a setting that would work with the diamonds from the engagement ring and had the ring made. I traded in the gold and the extra diamond that was a different size from the others to help pay for the new ring, that made me feel like the entire original ring my husband picked out would be part of the new ring.
Now I have a ring I can wear and love, with the sentimental value of being part of the beginning of our marriage.
I have my great grandmother’s opal ring. The tradition was to wear it on your left hand till you got your engagement ring. It’s so special. Will hand it down to granddaughters.
Sweet story, especially since it was true. I have several pieces of special jewelry. The most unique item is my father’s ID bracelet from when he was in WWII. Of course, it is much too large for my wrist, but I had it re-sized. It means a lot to me. My dad was a US Army Air Forces bombardier in the South Pacific. My brother has the bombardier ring, so that’s pretty special, also.
I have a winner! Kathy Nyman won the drawing. I appreciate Lorna for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.