Lyon, Day 2

Today was a long day! Pictures will have to come later, as we're exhausted and planning to get up early tomorrow.

I wanted to see Old Lyon today, so we set off for the hill. I love the subway system.

Lyon was originally founded by the Romans, in fact, by Marc-Antony in large part, to be the capital of the newly conquered Gauls. It was called Lugdurum or something at the time. As a result of this, the old town is full of Roman ruins, which we spent a lot of timing playing in today. We also visited the Gallo-Roman museum, which had very few English translations. Really, just enough to make me think they almost tried. We also saw some spectacular Roman theaters, one of which they still use, some aqueduct remains, and parts of an Roman bath. I was in heaven!

Another plus of being an old town in Europe are the gothic cathedrals, of which we toured no less than two today.

All in all, we walked for almost 5 hours straight. My whole body is tired. Tomorrow, we're hoping to take the TGV to Avignon. DS went there in high school as part of something European tour he did, and he says it's the most beautiful place he's ever been. We tried to book our tickets and hotel tonight, but apparently you have to live in France to do that. So we're trying our luck at the train station tomorrow. It's a good thing he has an electronic translator, because I'm learning that I don't remember much of any of the French I learned in high school.

So when we got home, this happened:

We were tired, and were resting on his bed, about the only piece of furniture in this room. We were talking about him coming home, and the things we'd like to do when that happens. Because I'm a sweetheart like that, I jokingly said "you can start saving to get me my engagement ring."

He says "I can't wait anymore." Goes down on one knee, and asks me to be his wife right there.

Now, I mess with him all the time about this. So I think it's a joke. But then he says, "I'm sorry your ring isn't here. It's in Madison, but you wouldn't believe the hassle I've been through trying to get it."

I could not believe my ears. What ring? When did he get it? How did I not notice? He has never been good at keeping things from me. I sat in shock for a while. He starts blabbering about showing me a picture.

And there it was.. my ring. I still don't believe it. I'm engaged.

And now he says I can't have it until he gets home and can give it to me.

So let me just say this to MT and Jesse. You guys suck! I can't believe you've been holding my ring all this time and never let a single hint slip about it! But also, I love you.

Here's his funny story.

He wanted to have the ring before he left for France. The one he wanted was going to take too long to get. At the last minute, he decided on another, and it was overnighted to him. However, apparently the post office worker at his job quit or something that very day, and my ring was lost for about a week. His friend was kind enough to retrieve it, and ship it him in France. However, French authorities in Paris, as it went through customs, decided it might be sold, and added a 500 dollar import fee, which DS didn't have. So, it went back to the US, where it's waiting for him to get home. Now, because of this, our jeweler, who happens to be family, says they might be able to get the one he originally wanted, which is fine by me. That one had my birthstone in the band, which means he paid attention when I told him what I liked. Which is one of the reasons I love him so much.

My current ring, waiting in Madison.

The ring he wanted, except with my princess cut diamond and sapphires where the diamond baguettes are.

Really, how could you expect me to stay up all night posting pictures of ruins when this has happened? Before you ask, no, we don't have a date set, and I have no idea when we'll have one. Am I happy? You bet I am!