We wre working as part of a survey team, I was the instrumentman she was the rodman (rodperson, rodwoman, rodbabe--we often tried to figure out how to use the term "rod" without sounding sexist or phallic. Never settled that).

We had been...'romantic' for about a year of so. After work and after we'd cleaned up I went to pick her up for dinner. I don't think I had marriage in mind. While we were talking we made one of those long eye contact moments that lasts several minutes and I just sort of blurted it out across the table with some cheesburger. "Will you make my life complete, will you marry me?" She blew fries on me in loving response and the rest is fast-food history.

I didn't buy her a ring for several years. I got several rings from friends who divorced and my sister melted them and poured them into a new ring. Finally got her a wedding band. Someday I'll get her an engagement ring.

Been married nearly 30 years. My wife says its because we both lack imagination.

B