Literally. Yeah, so I've been a little preoccupied and busy and distracted and such. Can you blame me? I didn't think so. When love and happiness and bliss come along you grab it.

I asked the question Sunday morning, after making a big breakfast and coffee and tea and reading the paper. It was exciting and emotional and the time got all screwy, like some sort of localized warp in reality surrounded us and distorted the outside world and made my senses more intense (you know what I'm talking about, right?), and maybe I cried a bit after she said yes twice.

Then I got a little scared when she said, "You have to go talk to my father." Gulp. The Talk. What the heck would I say? How would I start? Would it go well?

We had dinner at her parents' house Sunday night and her two younger siblings were there and it was normal (ie: crazy and loud-ish) so I was panicked and didn't think I'd get a moment with her father to "converse," but suddenly the opportunity presented itself and I confidently blurted out, "I asked your daughter to marry me this morning." Probably not the words he was expecting (if he was expecting any), but he was immediately jazzed up and asked me, "Well, what did she say?!" and then he was up and shaking my hand, telling me congratulations and such. Whew.

But then the really tough part came up: asking about the dowry. He mumbled something about a jar of pennies somewhere, trying to appease me with coin, but I pressed on. "I was kinda thinking more along the lines of sheep and goats," I hinted. He thought for a minute: "You can have those two cats," he replied, conveniently leaving out the word 'damn' but still conveying the thought.

He then returned the surprise by asking, "So, do you golf?" Crap. He golfs every day. I've never golfed in my life. I've hit balls at the driving range and I've mini-golfed, but I've never set foot on a real course. Perhaps I have no need to worry as his sons don't golf either, so I've got a bonding opportunity should I take up the sport. Mental note made to check into it.

At dinner he surprised me yet again. Smart cookie, this future father-in-law. He suddenly says, "Now is the time when I think we should all go around the table and share what has happened in the past week." Perfect, as her family and friends are all in attendance. Tommy went first with a tale about his car radio theft. Then Meghan. It really didn't go much further for some reason. Becca's reaction was the best. I thought she'd choke on her food or knock her chair over.

And then "Big Fat Greek Wedding" (Irish, really) started happening to me. I'll keep you posted.