I’m engaged! Check out these Flickr photos. I didn’t mention it on my blog before, but I’m in Paris for vacation (my first time here) and I had been planning to pop the question for quite a while now. My apologies to the many friends — even close ones — who I didn’t tell. I wanted absolute air-tight secrecy! Special apologies to those of you whom I flat-out lied to when you asked me if I was going to propose on this trip. Nancy is an absolute gem. I love her so much, and I have never felt so loved and cared for. That’s what life is all about. We are having a great time celebrating, mainly by walking around and sitting in cafes all day talking. We are both very good at this.
Our engagement made yesterday an extraordinary day all by itself, but that was only the beginning. Later on in the evening, we watched France beat Brazil in the World Cup in a cafe with some new French friends (new friends mainly because we offered our enthusiastic American support for the French team, which they graciously accepted), then joined the throngs of people who rushed to the Champs Elysèes to celebrate. I had always read about the U.S. forces marching down the Champs Elysèes in August 1944 when Paris was liberated from the Nazis and could only imagine what that must have been like. This party went on until about 2am. Even before the match last night, we had been seeing people driving through the streets of Paris waving large (i mean, really large) flags of their respective countries, beeping and yelling out the window. World Cup fever has been a real bonus of this trip. We are definitely going to be watching France vs. Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday night — can’t wait.
All the stereotypes of the French have proven to be outright wrong. Both Nancy and I have been speaking French whenever possible (though we’re both a bit rusty) and everyone we’ve met has been really kind despite our limited vocabularies. A simple bonjour upon entering a shop or restaurant before asking for something, merci when appropriate, and au revoir when leaving is generally sufficient. The stereotype of French snobbery and aloofness is really just them leaving you alone to think, eat, drink, or whatever. I love Paris.
Now, back to the woman I love. . . .
congrats chad…that’s fantastic…
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Wow! Congratulations to the two’s of you.
Dude, congrats! What an awesome place to get engaged. One thing’s for sure, 50 years from now when you’re celebrating your anniversary, you’ll definitely remember where you popped the question.
Wow. Congratulations. I found it a little funny looking at your photos, especially in front of the Eiffel Tower. I just got done playing Blazing Angels on the XBOX. It’s a WWII aviation/dogfighting game. One of the missions was liberating Paris and I remember flying my P47 Thunderbolt right into the ground about where your fiancee is standing.
Hope they’ve filled the crater in by now. :p
Again, congrats.
Woohoo!
Enjoy France.
Engagement in Paris, very cool! Congrats!
Congrats again Chad. You did good! Nancy looks pretty great with that ring!
Congratulations, Chad! Sounds like the perfect proposal…I’m thrilled for you both…
Ms. Martay of course called me with the news (so what’s new?)! Congratulations to you both!
Nicely done, Chad. Congratulations to you both; may you have long lives, contented minds, and little or no lower back pain.
awesome
Right on, Chad and Nancy!! That is so cool.
Zeus is hanging out by my feet as I type this and he joins me in sending his congratulations and some dog kisses to you both!
YAY!!!
Congratulations chad and all the very best
Yo congrats! Good for you!!!
Congratulation Chad! This is the best thing I’ve read all day! Thats such a pretty and happy picture of Nancy.
Wish you both a great life ahead!
Cheers,
-K
Awesome! Congrats you two!
Congrats Chad and welcome to the ranks.
Chad -
Congratulations! I don’t think you could have found a more romantic place to pop the question!
Congratulations!
Kudos Chad! It’s like I was just talking to you yesterday and now you’re in Paris. Have fun.
Congratulations Chad, this is great!
Congratulations, Chad! I’m so excited and happy for both you and Nancy!
We had a hunch that Chad would pop the ? — or at least we hoped he would. We couldn’t be more delighted … you are a match made in heaven. Enjoy the rest of your trip, and let’s make a date for dinner chez nous when you return.
Wonderful, Wonderful news Nanners!
Congrats to you both!
Wow! Every girl’s dream is to be proposed to in Paris! How romantic. Chad and Nancy, you’re a great team and it’s wonderful that you found each other. Congratulations!
That made my day. Congrats to you both!!!
Congratulations, kids. Great news.
Congrats to both of you. I just did the same thing the weekend before I saw you in Bangalore. She started crying and shaking like a twig.
Congratulations Chad.
Congrats on your engagement! And very glad French people are being of good company:)
congratulations chad! such wonderful news!!! So happy for you both!
Congratulations, Chad!
Congratulations to both of you, that is so awesome!!!!
You are such an awesome couple. I am so happy for you. I know you will make each other VERY happy. Congratulations! Love, Love, Love, Erik and Jessica
Congratulations, Chad! We’d had a suspicion this was going to happen in Paris. We’re so happy for you both; it couldn’t be a better match. Love, Jim and Katharine.
congratulations on your engagement! David and I got engaged last friday. I am so happy.