WHAT A STORY!!! Thats AWESOME!
Many memories created and shared and saved for future reference - such a neat way to propose.
Best wishes for many happy years together.
Well, if it's any consolation - it's not always any easier with a "less" controversial partner. For many years, I defended my choice - but made the mistake of sometimes complaining about something here or there. Wow - that created more strife and eventually I learned to quit! My parents simply didn't like him because he "wasn't a cowboy" and felt that I would become very "unhappy" w/ my choice. Also, for years they felt and put it out to family that we were married "because we had to be" - then were surprised when there wasn't a little one for several years, LOL. Yes, we've had our ups & downs - including accustations that ..."the horses are more important than i am..." argument. We've had marital counseling and we've learned to live with our lives - as they are. We've done some "wild things" - both with each other and separate from each other (we've both been active duty Army - during Desert Sheild and Desert Storm and the following aftermath... Plus have had to be in different duty stations. I spent 13 months in Korea while he was in Germany in the early stages of our relationship. AND he spent 3 years in Arabia AFTER getting out of the Army but while working as a military sub-contractor in our later marriage).
We celebrate 25 years of marriage in June 2013 - that is why NO HORSE STUFF that month (even tho I'm missing two shows that our ponies are being shown in)! And 27 years of knowing one another... So it can be done even with some family disagreement.
Other acqaintances and the god-parents of our first daughter were married for 5 years before either set of parents were told/informed that the marriage had taken place, LOL. They both retained their original names while on active duty. Unlike my hubby and I - they both managed to go thru full military careers while married and with two children - both have now retired from active duty after more than 20 years!
Again - CONGRATS!!
And WHEN is the happy day??