The proverb has been traced back, to about 1573. However, on the dating website, Plenty of Fish, we date back to August, 2010. Day 1: I took a peek at "Riverman" and within 24 hours, he contacted me and the chatting began. After a bit of back and forth, I suggested seeing a movie together, as I was just looking for someone to hang out with. Immediately corrected, I was informed we needed to meet ahead of time, to see if we wanted to actually spend time together. Weird. So we met, ahead of time. At a forest preserve. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, so I told Larry that I told my brother exactly where I was meeting him. Larry said, "Good, so when they find my body, they'll know who did it!". Coffee delivered, at the end of his 3rd shift, we walked through a continuous cloud of mosquitoes, until we reached the end of the trail. Which was the beginning of our journey.

Circa 2015: We're up north and I'm sleeping in. Larry, as always, is up much earlier than me. The coffee didn't do the trick, but when I smelled the bacon, that did me in. Brekky as usual, then Larry says, "Let's go down to the river." So, of course, I'm taking pictures along the way, whilst Larry is patiently walking behind me. I get to the pier and see something sparkling, in the sun. I take a closer look to find a HUGE diamond ring (actually a napkin holder) suspended from the tree, on fishing line. I turned around to look at Larry and he's down on one knee, with another ring in hand and he asked me to marry him! I was so excited, the only words I could find were "Are you bleeping kidding me?!?!?!". I also said yes! Larry's got himself one classy lady!

The morning of the proposal I was up early as usual. I'd been thinking this through for months and felt relief and anxiety at the same time. I took the boys (Rocky & Moose) out, passing up starting the coffee so I knew Mary would stay asleep. I headed down to the river, to set up the proposal. There is a short path, that winds through the woods, to the dock. A perfect place, to set up the surprise! I walked looking for a place to hang the baseball sized fake diamond napkin holder to get her attention. I used fishing line and tied the holder to a branch. It was right at eye level off the side of the trail. I thought, that'll work, she'll never miss it! Pleased with myself, I went back to the cabin to start the coffee. While the coffee was brewing, I decided to re-walk the route to the river, fog for mosquitoes, and check the placement of the napkin holder. I WALKED RIGHT BY IT! NO good!!!! I was scrambling to figure out where to place it! The coffee is on! She'll be up soon! I hung it from a branch, over the dock. The morning sunshine lit it up, sparkling as it spun... Much better!!! I did a quick route retrace and was satisfied with my setup. Back at the cabin, she's still in bed. I settle in for coffee and morning news. This went on for an eternity! News, westerns, coughing, sending the dogs in to wake her... Nothing is working! I think she may be dead? Thankfully the smell of bacon resuscitated her! She wakes and has coffee. We mill around for a bit and I suggest a trip to the pier. We're walking there and I'm thinking this is too smooth. She has to suspect! We turn the corner and the fake diamond spins and shines! She's sees it, whips out her camera to photograph it, and starts laughing. I drop to one knee waiting for her to turn around. More picture taking ensues.... She turns, covers her mouth with both hands, and loudly exclaimed.... "ARE YOU #$@&/!? KIDDING ME!!?" That's my girl!