A very nerdy engagement.
June 30th, 2009 | by TJ |Ok, Internet.
So I was having my normal day, up way too early, working, etc, and Phil kept sending me nice text messages. I mean, not that he’s not normally nice, but just a lot of messages. He asked what my workload was like for the day, and I told him that it was heavy but that I’d try to free up some time this evening for us to spend some time together (I haven’t been feeling well the last day or two and have been a bit cranky). He said that would be great and said we should go to dinner.
Ok, fiiiine. I was a bit suspicious.
So back I went to doing writerly things, not so much writing as engaging in some ruthless editing that was endlessly frustrating as I was destroying my own work and repeatedly redoing it. Since I hadn’t gotten much sleep, and since we were going to dinner, I decided to take my afternoon nap a bit early. I have to nap every day, see. Oh, it’s not for ME. When I’m in the house, Brinkley is constantly around me. If he doesn’t get his afternoon nap, he seriously turns into a jerk, but if I’m up and active, he won’t sleep. So I have to nap, so the dog will nap. You understand.
So anyway, I laid down for my nap and woke up around 2 something and went to go to the bathroom, but Phil was in the bathroom, which was totally weird, since he wasn’t supposed to be home from work yet. I was bummed because I was planning to shower and fix myself up a bit before he got home, but as it was, I was in underwear and a salvation army t-shirt that must be from the 70s, which has a big sparkly decal saying “I’m not fat, nature just overdid a good thing!”
So I questioned why he was home early and he was evasive, but whatever, I told him I’d get around to showering and we could go to an early dinner a little later. I was walking through the living room when my phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize:
(there’s a video here, click through your feedreader if you can’t see it)
The video’s been edited a bit, thank god, but unfortunately you can hear that my initial response was “Oh shit!” and if you listen closely, you can hear me say, “I’m not even wearing any pants!”
And upon the asking of the question, I turned and Phil was down on one knee holding out the ring, which was lovely of course.
I then had to call everyone I’d ever met, and my parents were not especially surprised, since Phil, being a traditional sort, had already spoken to my father and asked for his blessing on the matter.
Then we went to dinner, and I had chocolate cake first.
And here is a better picture of the ring, as well:
You can click to make it bigger, and please excuse my bra strap. Wearing diamonds doesn’t make a girl any more classy, unfortunately.
Anyway, there is no date yet, but we will be planning the most Nerdfightery of Nerdfighter weddings possible.
Thank you very much to John Green for his enthusiastic participation, it was really, really awesome, and thanks to all the Nerdfighters who have added their congratulations here, on Twitter and on YouTube.
DFTBA!
PS – The blog doesn’t seem to be accepting comments at the moment, due to a crazy Nerdfigher influx. Sorry for the inconvenience, I’ll get it straighted out soon.
PPS – I will be responding to each and every comment and Twitter message and Twitter follow, please just give me a little time to, you know, pay attention to Phil, whose existence I seem to keep forgetting.
PPPS – Nerdfighters and other new commenters! Thank you for coming and/or delurking! Due to spam problems, the first time someone comments on this site, it is held for moderation. If your comment doesn’t show up, don’t worry – I’ll approve them as soon as I can, and I appreciate all the congratulations. Best wishes!
By Awlbiste on Jun 30, 2009
Supergrats TJ, you two are totally awesome together.
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By Evil Sheep on Jun 30, 2009
Congrats you two nerdy, crazy kids.
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By Dennis on Jun 30, 2009
Congratulations! Awesome proposal! Should be nice to remember the rest of your life and tell your grandchildren about it. Enjoy it!
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By Jamie Harrington on Jul 1, 2009
I am *so* excited for you babe! HOORAY!
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By Lysh on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats again on the engagement! That was an awesome proposal. I was watching on BlogTV.
Best wishes! :]
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By hydra on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats TJ!!!!!
….. oh and that Phil guy too.
I feel privileged to have been able to share a little piece of that moment with you both. <3 to the both of you.
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By Lady Jess on Jul 1, 2009
ZOMG!! Congrats TJ!!
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By Dechion on Jul 1, 2009
Grats to you both!
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By Saresa on Jul 1, 2009
Oh congratulations to both of you! That is possibly the most crazy romantic proposal I have ever seen (well… if you take it in its context ;-) ). I can see many a girlfriend (myself included) linking this to their partners with a massive *hinthint* attached.
Congratulations again, may you both have a very long and happy future… even if you have no pants ;-)
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By Copra on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats! It doesn’t get any more classic than this!
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By Marylin/Softi on Jul 1, 2009
WOOOOOT that was AWESOME! All the best to you both! :) /huggles
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By twww on Jul 1, 2009
Congratulations to you both!
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By Tilde on Jul 1, 2009
Congratulations!!! You two are great together.
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By Jackie on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats! This is so awesome. Definitely a proposal to remember. I’m so happy for you both. So will the wedding be Ustreamed??…
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By Megan on Jul 1, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS! All of the best!
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By Korianne on Jul 1, 2009
I just woke up an I had left blog TV on by accident but then I saw that you had given links to see your pictures of the ring. Wow! It is gorgeous. I know you don’t have time to respond to this, and I am totally ok with that! You go spend more time with your lovely new FIANCE Phil! I just wanted to say congratulations and I know your marriage to Phil will be made of awesome. Also I agree with Jackie of above. You totally need to Ustream/BlogTV the wedding! You are a youtube/blogTV celebrity now, it is only fitting! lol jk only broadcast it if you wish!
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By Kelmar on Jul 1, 2009
CONGRATS TO BOTH OF YOU!
Marriage lv1 incoming.
I wish you much happiness.
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By KATE, yo SISTA on Jul 1, 2009
GUESS WHAT! since you got engaged you totally forgot how mad you were at me! SCORE! thanks phil!
oh yeah and congrats. sweet bling. i mean ring.
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By Annie on Jul 1, 2009
Oh my lord, that made me so happy! Congratulations to both of you!
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By Emma on Jul 1, 2009
Congratulations
Excellent proposal Phil.
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By Sass on Jul 1, 2009
Very Nice!
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By Caroline on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats!! That is so adorable :)
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By Edyion on Jul 1, 2009
Many happy Congratulations to you and the Phil!!!!!
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By Hazel on Jul 1, 2009
Ahhhh! I’m sooo excited for both of you! Congratulations!!! :D Awesome proposal, Phil. The cutest!
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By Andy C. on Jul 1, 2009
Congrats to TJ and Phil!
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By Shamooo on Jul 2, 2009
Gratz!!!! and good luck to you both may the air force look with love upon your union
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By Valenna on Jul 2, 2009
K. I guess I can come out of hiding for a second to congratulate you. ^_^ I wish you and Phil all the best. =D
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By Saphia on Jul 2, 2009
Congratulations! That is an awesome way to propose. My husband insists he proposed but the only thing I remember was this casual conversation of where we’d go on our honeymoon. Never an actual request. It even took me a while to realize that he considered us engaged. He did finally ask my dad, but kind of had to since he was the minister.
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By Gnomeaggedon on Jul 2, 2009
Grats… bout time!
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By Alex on Jul 23, 2009
HOLY COW! This is the last time I’m going to let work get in the way of my blog-reading. How did I just find out about this today?! CONGRATULATIONS, TJ & PHIL!
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By Al_Pal on May 21, 2010
Haha, dude, that’s awesome. My HS BFF is totally a nerdfighter so of course I just sent her this link. ;p
What a great story.
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