Barb and I were “non-traditional” college students at Oklahoma State University when we met. We had been dating a couple of years, when we planned an adults-only getaway weekend trip to Oklahoma City for Valentine’s Day.

Earlier at Christmas, we had been at a jewelry counter while Christmas shopping and both fantasized about expensive gifts we would like. We both pointed out rings that we liked and would like to have, if we weren’t poor single-parent college students.

Unbeknownst to Barb, I went back to put the ring she liked in layaway. I planned to give it to her when we went on our Valentine’s Day trip. I couldn’t afford to buy the ring outright. But I made weekly payments. Just before our special weekend I made the final payment. I planned on surprising her, when we got back to the room the first night.

That first evening of our weekend we had a special dinner at a very romantic restaurant. After dinner, we went to a local night club and danced until about midnight. I was so excited and really wanted to hurry back to the room. But I didn’t want to give anything away, so we took our time and really had a great evening.

When we finally got back to the room. I asked Barb if you wanted a glass of wine. She said yes. I told her I would pour it while she changed clothes. While she was changing in the other room, I poured the wine and got the ring ready. When she came back into the room, I handed her the glass first. Then, after a few seconds, I handed her the ring box. She got the most curious smile across her face; as if she knew what I had done. She opened it, saw that it was the ring she liked, then gave me a big hug and a kiss. Then she reached into her robe, pulled out another ring box and handed it to me. I was confused at first. I thought she was handing the ring back to me. But then I saw that she had her ring on her finger. I thought that she must be giving me the empty box. But the she said with a big smile, “Open it.” My mind was trying to catch up.

I said, “What?”

“Open it,” she said.

“Oh,” I mumbled, not really yet understanding. Finally, I did open it. I could hardly believe my eyes. There was the ring that I had chosen at the jewelry counter; like hers. She had done exactly what I had done. She had planned exactly the same surprise for me that I had planned for her. I knew at that moment that she was the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. Right then I knew for sure that we were perfect for each other. The only thing that has changed in 15 years, is that it keeps getting better and better.