Thursday, March 25, 2010

Happy Engagement!

It was the surprise of a lifetime! Ben was secretly planning a rather public marriage proposal after my segment on the Martha Stewart Show! I had thought they were sort of rushing me through everything (the cue cards kept saying "hurry up!"). It was a carefully planned ploy to leave time for a question and answer portion of the segment where Ben stood up and said he had a question. I thought..."why doesn't he let someone else ask a question...he already knows everything about me and my work"....but when he strided over to the stage...I knew! He got down on his knee and asked me to be his wife! I was completely taken by surprise and just wanted to bawl my eyes out in happiness! Of course I said yes! I am just thrilled to be engaged to my beautiful and sweet-hearted Ben! :)

And Martha and her staff were in on it the whole time! After Ben knew I was scheduled to be on the show, he snooped through my email to find the producer's contact info. After it was discussed at a meeting he got the go ahead! There was a lot of sneaking around and secret keeping on both Ben's part and the staff's part...but they did a good job because I had no idea! And our first engagement gift was from Martha (how awesome!) and she was just so pleased and happy. Thank you thank you!

Ben's mom was able to join us for the show too...yay! And before we headed down to NYC, we stopped to visit my parent's for the weekend. It was Ben's idea, which was strange, but who was I to argue? He found little moments of time to be alone with each of my parents to ask them for permission. How incredibly sweet...but that's Ben for you!
The whole thing was so wonderful I can't even express it!

And of course I have to show off the ring! I always thought it was a little cheesy when people did that...but now I understand how they feel! This beauty is really special for many reasons other than the fact that it was a gift from Ben to me. The aquamarine stone is March's birthstone (which is the month we were engaged), it's an antique ring from France...which of course is perfect. And it looks like an Easter egg! I just adore it...especially because it was from my honey.
These fantastic photos were taken by Ben's cousin Russ, who is an amazing photographer, as you can see.

We are so overjoyed and loved reading all of your many comments about our happy day. Thank you so much for all the sweet words! I really feel like royalty, if for only a moment in time! :)

If you haven't seen the video yet, you can watch here. :)

19 comments:

miss lynn said...

ohmystars!!!
all i can
say is
WOW!!!!
congratulations
and way to
go, ben!
my lover and i
have been married
for 12 years, and
i have to tell you,
it's wonderful.
happy day!

Unknown said...

congratulations crystal! what a wondeful surprise...what a wonderful memory you will have of this day..what a story you will always have to tell in years to come! your ring is just beautiful!warm regards, ~*~*~*~michelle~*~*~*~
P.S. I found your blog via heather @ Speckled Egg. I may be joining you for Brimfield this May! Would LOVE to meet you and see your precious ring in person as well!

magikalseasons said...

Congratulations! I watched it was so exciting not just your bunnies but the proposal. Oh and you have a new fan my 5 year old. He said you're pretty and you should marry him. He watched and I'm not making this up. :) Becca

Valarie said...

What an absolutely wonderful story. You will be able to tell your kids about it some day. I am just overjoyed for the two of you. Hugs and kisses.
Valarie

Amanda Lee said...

congratulations!

bybido said...

I was watching as well...and teared up over the whole thing. How sweet of him. Congratulations!

Mary said...

I noticed how you kept looking at the cards and wondered why until Ben took the microphone. I think this is the MOST ROMANTIC proposal ever. You were so obviously surprised.

I also think it was awesome of Martha and her staff to conspire with Ben. Congratulations again!

Anonymous said...

Great happiness and joy on your engagement. The segment was so adorable and I love and must try your project, but that clever Martha just led you in to this amazing moment. I had to tell my friends to be sure and watch it if they missed the show. The ring is stunning, nice job Mr. Ben! I just wanted to pop by and give my best wishes..I'll be following your blog now and I'm sure there will be much prep starting soon for a wedding.

AquaMarine Queen said...

The look of shock on your face was priceless! So nice you have the whole thing captured for posterity:) Congratulations to both of you! xo, Lisa

ps. I hope you share a photo of the cake topper when the time comes ... I'm sure you're already designing it in your head!

VintageCrafter said...

Congratulations Cystal! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!!! What an amazing proposal too! All the best!
~Carol

Unknown said...

Oh my, I got tears reading your story. What an amazing sweetie you have and such a beautiful ring! Congratulations on your engagement!
Crystal

kerry hawkins art and photo said...

Very cool! and so romantic, Congratulations!

Terri Gordon said...

Hi Crystal, Congratulations, how wonderful. I watched the video, how great, I am so excited for you. You two make such a cute couple. Best of Luck. Terri

laurie -magpie ethel said...

I just got home from a week in Puerto Vallerta - went to your blog to see if you had a link to the martha segment that I knew I missed. OH MY GOSH...SOOOO EXCITED for you and Ben...I let out a huge shriek and my daughter ran upstairs to see what was up! Tell Ben that is the coolest thing...love the ring..couldn't be more thrilled! Made my day to hear the news!

Darryl Moland said...

Got your message on Etsy! I couldn't believe it when I saw the segment. What a great thing that the producers and Martha conspired to make such an amazing moment for you! And the ring . . . it's incredibly beautiful. What an amazing memory this will be. A big warm congratulations. By the way, I loved it when you said "If you think so" when Martha tried to compare one of your figure skeletons to Calder. Funny!

Walter Silva said...

Congrats! So cool...

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

Oh my goodness, I can honestly say Crystal that your ring is truly gorgeous. It has one of my favorite stones of all time. Your Ben is a very special man, I can tell by the thought he put into the ring.

A huge congratulations and all of the blessings that life can give you in the future, Maureen

sMacThoughts said...

Oh my gosh, Crystal, I missed this!! Congratulations... gonna watch the video, and must say I love the ring!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

I just saw your sweet engagement video! Congratulations!!! It was so very sweet, it made me cry! Oh what joy! And the ring is absolutely stunning! My hubby and I celebrate our 20th anniversary this June, and it just warmed my heart to see the two of you experience the beginning of this wonderful journey! Happy Easter!