Countdown in Single Digits

Yep, in only a few days, Boyfriend will be walking off an airplane, safe and sound, here in Canada.

And I am freu'in', myself. I'm ridiculously excited, I can't help it!

Things are getting real. I was reminded tonight that I should probably be looking into Visa applications, since I want to, y'know, become an official Canadian German. And in time for school in October. Yes, this is an important step.

That said, I told my mother today that she should expect some pretty big news while Boyfriend is here. Like, something that will result in me calling Boyfriend something that's not "Boyfriend" in this blog anymore. I asked if she was aware that that was the plan; thankfully she said yes. She did, however, seem disappointed when I dodged her question, "Who's buying the ring?", by telling her that I refuse to have a ring with a diamond (as diamonds are intrinsically worthless, and that's not something I want as a symbol of my love for and with someone who is so intrinsically of worth in my heart and in my life), and that Boyfriend and I, a la German tradition, will both have rings (worn on the left hand during the engagement period, and then moved to the right hand after the vows have been said). I, however, neglected to tell her that rings have already been purchased. Oops.

   The ring story:
Boyfriend and I were on our way to the cinema, and passed a jeweler on the corner; we slowed down and looked at the rings in the shop window. Most of the rings were gaudy and sparkly: two things that turned me right off of them. Then, in the corner, I see the words: Herbstangebote (or, fall sale)! I like these words, a lot, so we go to work looking at them and really deciding, rather seriously, actually, which rings we wanted. We decided on a pair we both liked, then resolved to go there the next morning and try them on. So, after the film, we said good night for the evening, and showed up together the next morning to ask about the rings. The sale was a good one; unfortunately none of the rings we liked fit both of our fingers, so we ordered the pair we liked for an extra 20 Euro. Boyfriend would go to the shop a couple days after I flew back home to Canada, pay for the rings, and take them home. That night, as Boyfriend is about to leave, the woman I'm staying with pulls us aside and, rather seriously, tells us she needs to talk to us. I think she's mad because I forgot to clean some hair out of the shower or something, but thankfully she just explains that she got together with a few other women from the branch (a small ward, or assembly of members of our Church) in that city and had pooled together 100€ so that Boyfriend and I could go out tomorrow with her and purchase some rings. I looked, seriously, almost gravely, at Boyfriend, and this woman thought I was ticked at her or something, haha. In any case, we explained the situation and now, we have a swell story to tell the grandchildren one day.

The only damper on my excitement is the fact that I, admittedly, scratched a truck today with my side-view mirror, on the way to Church. I had pulled out of my driveway and was working on straightening the steering wheel when something I had on the dashboard fell, causing me to attempt to catch it, while I had toast clamped between my teeth. The wheel, having not been straightened, caused my car to head straight for this truck, and I dropped the thing that fell, grabbed the wheel with my other hand and jerked it the other way. I pulled over, heart racing. After calming down I checked the damage, then went to Church, knowing the neighbour wasn't going anywhere today. After sitting through a Sundays worth of talks on repentance, I was well prepared to go home and admit my wrongdoing. I'm a mortal, and I admit I thought about not saying anything - heck, the scratch is barely noticeable, super thin and not very long, but I got out of my car, knocked on the neighbour's door and explained the whole situation... to be told it was their tenant's truck, and that they'd give her my number. Deal.

When I told Boyfriend, he wondered aloud if we'd survive my driving skills long enough to allow us to get married this year.