.  The Engagement Lots of anticipation lead up to our engagement; Will he?  Won't  he?  Will she?  Won't she?  Both of us knew tht the moment was close at hand but you always wonder- how will he ask?  When will it be?  How are the families going to react? Our proposal was as  fun and romatic as expected.  Ivan's head was filled with at least four plans since he was sure that at least three would back-fire.  I was just trying to keep from thinking about it, although every time Ivan  reached into his pocket for a week I stopped breathing. We spent our first Hannukah together with Ivan's family at his sister Lori's house.  It was a great time.  I even got to light the first Hannukah  candle and say the prayer that night.  (After three days of bugging Ivan to repeat it to me I actually remembered it, but I still don't know what it means.)  I thought that maybe, with all of his family there,  it would be the time.  Well, it wasn't.  We left for Albuquerque on December 20th for us to spend our first Christmas together with my family.  It wasn't a white Christmas, although most aren't in New  Mexico, but it was beautiful nonetheless.  On Christmas Eve, after the traditional Posole meal that my mother makes, we went out to light the luminarias (the hispanic tradition of bags with candles inside that  light Christs' way to your door.)  Afterwards the family and friends were mingling around the Christmas tree at my grandparents house and Ivan said that he wasn't feeling well.  He was wearing a thick sweater  that day and said that he felt faint from the heat.  I tried to give him the car keys so that he could drive back to my mothers house to change, but he said that he really needed me to drive.  (Yeah,  right.)  Reluctant to leave my family I told them that we would return shortly.  We drove to my mothers house and after he changed he said that he had a gift for me.  We had decided that on Christmas Eve  we would exchange one gift a piece, needless to say his was a little better than mine. Sitting on the front porch he handed me a box.  Not a ring box, I mean a BOX.  When I opened it, I saw individually  wrapped gifts with a note card on each one.  The cards were numbered one through four.  Ivan told me I had to open them in numerical order, reading each card before opening the gift.  This is how he  proposed. . . . . . ENVELOPE #1 Since February 26th There's been adoration and care. You make me feel warm and fuzzy Like and Australian Bear. (How cute!  A Koala bear!  I've always loved Koala bears!)    ENVELOPE #2 Together we've experienced Some incredible things. We are adventurous, courageous Like jungle queens and kings. (A Lion!  That's sweet, I wonder  what's in #3?)   ENVELOPE #3 Not a day goes by I don't smile and think How we always quack up Like the day at the ice rink. (Another Beanie Baby!  Why in the hell is he giving me Beanie Babies!?!?)   ENVELOPE #4 We always cuddle, snuggle, kiss Like lost love has been found. We wrestle, run, touch and laugh, Always monkeying around. (All right.  That's nice.  It was a very thoughtful and creative gift, just like he said it would be.  Now what?)    I thought that the gifts were very cute, but I couldn't understand what significance they had to our relationship.  As I was collecting all of the wrapping paper, probably a whole roll, he  told me to take another look in the box.  'Maybe there is one more present in there.'  I dug through the remainder of the paper to the bottom of the box and found gift #5. . .   ENVELOPE #5 What is most important Are the conquering factors- The love and trust can't be faked, Because we are horrible actors.  And I feel deep inside That in a past life We were bonded some way Maybe husband and wife. The setting of the sun From our rock on the mountain Is almost as beautiful As your reflection in a fountain Through communication, support, Commitment and care, We're prepared for that step That some never dare. For destiny has brought us Together you see. T-A-M-A-Y-A. . . . . . . . .  At this point I was breathing heavily and trying not to fall over.  Ivan was on one knee as I opened the last gift and found the rest of the poem. After about a minute of crying into my hands and repaeating the words 'Oh God' over and over he took the ring out of the box,  got down on both knees and said "Honey, you didn't answer my question."  With a face full of happy tears I said yes and squeezed him harder than I've ever squeezed anyone.  He put the  ring on my finger and after half an hour of composing myself we went back to the house to share our news with the family.     Every day since then has been just as beautiful as that moment and I will never forget the effort and love that went into his proposal.  It was the happiest moment in my life, now I'm waiting for the next one. . . Our wedding.