I wonder how many people propose/are proposed to in that "traditional" sort of way. When Mr. Barge and I got engaged 24 yrs ago (wow) we discussed it. We agreed that we wanted to get married to each other versus just moving in together. We discussed what we saw marriage like and why we thought we'd be good for each other. And then we exchanged Swiss Army 'engagement' watches.

Mr. Barge later felt obliged, due to pressure from family and friends, to buy a diamond ring but I preferred the watch - which I still wear everyday while the ring languishes in my jewellery box.

I've never been interested in proposal stories before but now I think I've been missing out on juicy stories full of pizza and fireworks.