I've got a secret!

Tonight the secret I've kept for over a month was told!!!!! THE SECRET?????? Well...........let me just say for those you out there (you know who you are!) who say "MAMA CAN'T KEEP A SECRET", well guess what???? THIS PROVES I CAN! Right, Pat Pat???? Yes, I kept the secret!! What IS the secret???????????? Well, on June 23rd Patrick called me and took up the offer I gave him---to give him my first engagement ring when he was sure he was ready to give it to the girl he loved. And, he said, "I'm ready for the ring, if you still want to give it to me". Of course, my heart melted and I said "yes"! I went into my jewelry box and pulled out the ring that Terry gave me 37 years ago, in the parking lot of the jewelry store (he was NOT one to pick romantic places to propose! HAHA). I wore that ring until my 40th birthday when he gave me "the ROCK". But, my old ring? Well, it meant more than this one does. Why? Because it was given to me when we were young and so in love and had the whole future ahead of us (I wouldn't ever have imagined that I would have 5 kids that long ago day in the parking lot!). That ring sparkled and danced on my finger and I could NOT quit turning it around and gazing at it and couldn't quit crying either. How I adored that ring!!! WHen Patrick asked me if he could give it to Stefanie it just thrilled my heart! So, I wrote him a note to read to her and wrapped it up in a beautiful box and ribbon. But, how could we hide it for him to take back to Destin?? I thought and thought! THen I decided that I would say, in front of Stefanie, "Pat, those flannel sheets you wanted to take back to Destin are in that WalMart bag"! Inside the  pillowcase was the ring! So, for over a month I have kept that secret! Stefanie's birthday is tomorrow (Rachel's is Tuesday and Kadie's the NEXT Tuesday! And Mimi's the next Tuesday and Katie's the NEXT  Tuesday! WHEW!). Anyway, I was waiting and waiting for the call! Terry was at a Jamaica meeting and wasn't here when Patrick and Stefanie called! Both were crying and just beside themselves! We're so thrilled. So happy for Patrick and Stefanie. I think that they have decided to take the diamond in my old ring and add it to diamonds from Stefanie's mother's ring. It will be beautiful! I can't wait to see it!