I will remember 3.3.06 for the rest of my entire life

It was the first time that my boyfriend's offer of a fancy dinner didn't excite me. I didn't get much sleep on my redeye flight, and I had been through a long day of meetings. A "jacket required" restaurant with a group of friends sounded... tiring. A "just make sure that the holes in your t-shirt aren't offensive" kind of spot sounded more my speed that night.

However I thought it was sweet that Taer went to the effort of arranging a nice night out, so a very exhausted and cranky me tried my best not to act too exhausted or cranky, and we were on our way. Near our destination, I noticed and commented on a cute horse-drawn carriage; and as soon as we parked, I found out that it was for us!

"Really? For us?!?" I was completely surprised, but then I knew exactly what was coming.

Once we got in, Taer even told me, "I actually wanted to do this in San Francisco."

"Do what?" I asked, with my best wide-eyed, innocent look.

"Uh... you know... just hang out."

So we rode around the monuments in the freezing cold. The hansom cab was lovely and romantic, but seriously - it was freezing! It was supposed to be in the 50's (which I already consider chilly), but it ended up being in the 30's. THuuR tEEEs! We were covered by three hugely thick blankets, but I think we stopped being able to feel our faces about halfway through the ride.

We got out when we got to the Reflecting Pool. It was even colder next to the water, but I didn't notice.

"It took 30 years for me to find you, and I've been waiting 3 years and 8 months to be with you. I love you and can't wait any longer. Will you marry me?"

I'm pretty sure he said something like that. I barely heard him because I was crying as soon as he got down on one knee. Of course I said, "Yes!"

I also barely heard him because of my chattering teeth. It was so frickin cold that my tears froze and fell off my face as ice pellets. I lied earlier when I said that I didn't notice how cold it was there; I was just trying to sound enraptured in love. Did it work? I was and am in love, but I was and am someone who gets cold easily!

We quickly returned to the carriage, where we were told by the driver that ours was the fastest proposal he had witnessed so far. Ha!

We completed our ride and enjoyed a meal without friends - he really tricked me - at 1789. We were told that our corner spot was considered one of the most romantic tables in all of Washington, D.C. We created our own four course tasting menus, with each of us ordering different dishes for every course, paired with a different glass of wine for each dish. It was decadent!

We started with a salmon carpaccio, which was so fresh and flavored well, and a tasty grilled shrimp appetizer. The next course included foie gras, always rich but always a favorite of mine, and equally luxe seared scallops. Our main course consisted of rack of lamb, which was really starting to fill my already protruding tummy at this point, and rockfish, a local yummy fish. We finished off our meal with a really interesting toasted bread pudding which was almost more like creme brulee. (I couldn't possibly do two desserts, though I did indulge in both dessert wine and champagne!)

I told Taer that I didn't care about the ring before this all happened. And I can honestly say that I meant it. But now that I have this beautiful piece of art on my finger, I can't stop looking! I woke up early the next morning, and the first thing I did was place my left hand 4" from my eyes. (I'm blind without glasses or contact lenses.) Taer kept calling me a dork, but I think he was secretly as mesmerized as I was. (By the way, for anyone who cares, it's a beautifully perfect asscher diamond with a pave band. Truly pefect for me - just like Taer!)

If we hang out in the next few weeks, you may catch me stealing a glimpse - or just openly staring with a goofy smile on my face. Just a little warning. And actually, it may continue to happen for the next few months... or years.

I'm so happy!