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<\/p>\n\u201cI got engaged in the Costco parking lot.<\/p>\n
It was a dark and stormy night\u2026 and Manny (the dude I am married to now) were making our monthly Costco run. We walked by the jewelry section and I spotted the most unusual, prettiest emerald ring. We\u2019d been talking marriage but that\u2019s it, we just talked about it. As we paused Manny said, \u2018nice stuff\u2019. I said, \u2018yes the emerald is gorgeous.\u2019 Manny was non-committal. About that time one of the Costco employees meandered over and asked us if they could answer any questions we might have.<\/p>\n
I spoke up, and said \u2018Yes, how much is this ring?\u2019<\/p>\n
He said just a hair under $500.00.<\/p>\n
I was floored! But then again that\u2019s Costco.<\/p>\n
I looked at Manny and he looked at the guy and said, \u2018Thanks we are just looking.\u2019<\/p>\n
Manny looked at me and said, \u2018Hey let\u2019s head to the wine section. So, we did, and I looked over my shoulder lovingly at this ring and we were on our way.<\/p>\n
Winding our way through the wine area I had the strongest urge to go look at that ring and at least get its order number. I told Manny I needed to go to the restroom, and I\u2019d be back.<\/p>\n
I made a bee line over to the jewelry case to find the ring, the Costco guy, and the order number. I find the guy all right, but the ring was not there. I couldn\u2019t believe it. He said simply, \u2018I am sorry, right as you left another couple came by and bought it. Things just don\u2019t last at Costco; they come and go.\u2019<\/p>\n
I nodded miserably and went on my way.<\/p>\n
I stomped all the way around the stupid store looking for Manny. I was on my ear, super irritated, and pissed because I realized I loved that ring. That was the ring I wanted. I found my guy. He saw the look on my face and asked what was up. I told him that I\u2019d gone back to look as I loved that ring, but it had been sold and I knew we should have just purchased it and put it away.<\/p>\n
Manny just shrugged and said, \u2018There will be other rings, after all its Costco.\u2019<\/p>\n
The rest of the time in Costco I spent in stony silence. Like a petulant teenager, I guess. We arrived at the check-stand and Manny begins to argue with the clerk. He was being a complete and utter douche canoe -a royal tool.<\/p>\n
As we finished ringing up, he looked at me and said, \u2018You need to take these out to the car and put them away. I need to speak to the manager this muffin is an idiot.\u2019<\/p>\n
I did a double take. He never spoke that way to me or anyone else. I asked him if he was having a stroke. He growled at me and said, \u2018For, once can you just do as I ask you and not argue.\u2019<\/p>\n
By now I was pissed, and I flipped him the bird in the middle of Costco as I silently planned his death, I took the stuff and out to the car I stomped like a pissed off toddler.<\/p>\n
It was pouring. Ugly, cold, November Portland rain. This irritated me even more. I unloaded all the groceries and his royal highness saunters up to the car and I shove the cart at him and tell him to take the cart back. He ignores me and opens his side of the car and then comes back to the back of the car and takes the cart without a word and walks it back to the cart area.<\/p>\n
As I try to open the passenger side of the car door it\u2019s locked. It\u2019s pouring. I am cold. I am angry with Manny because I think he\u2019s a jerk, and I am so sad about this ring. He finally comes back and gets in the car and unlocks my side.<\/p>\n
I get in the car. I fasten my seat belt. Manny says, \u2018You\u2019re sitting on something.\u2019<\/p>\n
I give him the side eye and say \u2018No I am not. And I am not speaking to you.\u2019<\/p>\n
He sighs and says, \u2018Yes, you are, I saw you.\u2019<\/p>\n
I unfasten my seatbelt and make this big theatrical show of proving to him he\u2019s full of sh*t. I get out of the car and look and what do you think is there?<\/p>\n
A ring box.<\/p>\n
I about died.<\/p>\n
He said. \u2018Go on, open it.\u2019 His eyes were dancing with anticipation and joy.<\/p>\n
I opened the box and it was that damn ring. It just started bawling.<\/p>\n
He then said, \u2018Do you remember our first date?\u2019 I nodded and croaked out \u2018We went to dinner and then shopping at Costcooooooo.\u2019<\/p>\n
By now it\u2019s the ugly cry.<\/p>\n
He then said, \u2018I think it\u2019s only fitting to ask you to be my wife and marry me in the place it all began.\u2019<\/p>\n
So, I said, \u2018Yes.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But I still couldn\u2019t figure out how he managed to pull off the biggest stunt ever. He took great delight sharing with me how he did it much like a magician knows his tricks.<\/p>\n
He got the attention of the jewelry clerk. While I was prattling on about the ring the clerk was standing behind us and Manny was pointing at the ring and making motions, he wanted to buy it.<\/p>\n
When I went to the restroom, he and the clerk began to decide how to buy the ring without me, but I walked up.<\/p>\n
The clerk was pretty smooth in telling me it had been sold. I left and they decided to stage a fake fight and send me out of the store.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s how I got engaged. We were married September 12th 1998 \u201d<\/p>\n
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