"Well...I'm pretty proud of my FH for going the lengths we went to find stones and design a ring - so I figured I should post the story. We've been together 7 years now (we were highschool sweethearts) and we had been talking about marriage for almost a year. I figured that we were ready to move to the next 'stage' of our relationship and to be honest, was thinking it may never happen. For my birthday, he had took me to a quiet cabin retreat in the Squamish Valley in B.C. It was perfect. The next day, we went for a drive along logging roads, and he pulled over at a beautiful spot where we were surrounded by a panoramic view of gorgeous mountains! Here is where he presented me with my 'gift'...a gorgeous diamond and sapphire ring and a beautiful poem where he asked me to marry him! The sapphire stone was handpicked (over the internet) directly from the mine in Australia from Aussie Sapphires in the Reddestone Creek area of New South Wales. The mine is both an ethical source of stones as well as an environmentally sound operation. These points were of course very important to me, which is in contrast with most sources of gemstones around the world. The Diamonds where also from Australia..." click for the full story

If Men Were In Charge of Planning Weddings...

There would be less "Oh Promise Me" and "Endless Love", and more "Louie, Louie" and "Mony Mony".

There would be a 'Rehearsal Dinner Kegger Party'.

Bridesmaids would wear matching blue jean cut-offs and halter tops. They would have NO tan lines and more skin showing than not.

Tuxes would have team logos on the back and the Nike shoes would have matching team colors.

June Weddings would be scheduled around basketball play-offs.

Vows would mention cooking and sex specifically but omit that "forsaking all others" part.

The couple would leave the ceremony in a souped up '73 Charger or some other Mopar with racing tires and flame designs on the side of the car. Better yet, a Harley!

Idiots that tried to dance with the Bride (unless they were really old) would get punched in the head.

Big slobbery dogs would be eligible for the role of Best Man.

There would be 'Tailgate Receptions'.

Outdoor weddings would be held during sporting events at half-time or between innings.

Ceremonies would be short and Honeymoons would be long.

Ceremonies and Honeymoons would be inexpensive compared to the cost of the Bachelor Party. Those strippers and liquor sure do add up.

Men wouldn't ask...."Well, what do you think, Dear, The Burgundy or the Wine colored napkins?" They'd just grab extras from their local pub or tavern.

Favours would be matchbooks and cigars. Better yet, free drink passes at the local lounge.

The bride's dress would show cleavage, her navel, and be form fitted to her butt.

Instead of a sit down dinner or a buffet, there would be a hog roast or buckets of chicken, pizza and plenty of barbeque.

No one would bother with that 'Veil Routine'. But they would insist the garter be as high up on her leg as it would go.

The bridal bouquet could be recycled from a previous funeral or something.