EMERSON ROBBINS
Emerson Robbins has spent years in the engagement ring business. He owns and founded E.E. Robbins, The Engagement Ring Store, a local three-store chain in the Northwest, including a Bellevue location. He’s co-founder of Robbins Bros., The World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Stores. He authored the book, “Popping the Question, Seattle Style,” which can be found in most local bookstores, at E.E. Robbins or at barnesandnoble.com. Robbins lives locally with the love of his life, wife Sherri, and their two boys, Ryan and Tyler. Details: eerobbins.com
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It may be one of the most important questions you’ll ever ask anyone. After all, what could be more important than asking another person to spend the rest of your life with you? And how you go about “popping the question” will be one of those moments both of you will remember for the rest of your lives. Coming up with a romantic way in which to pop the question is not much different than making a marriage last. It takes some effort and is all about dedicating yourself to making the one you love happy.
So let’s talk about the key elements of a successful proposal. There are five key proposal propositions to bear in mind before asking for her, or his, hand.
1. BE SURE!
Now, while this may seem surprising to some, I can tell you based on a lifetime spent in the engagement ring business that it has always shocked me how many guys are turned down. By the time you’re ready to ask, the two of you should have talked about what you both want for your lives. Do the two of you share the same goals? Do you both want children? Do you share the same religious and moral values? Do you both want to spend the rest of your lives with each other? Are you both ready for marriage? You should know everything you can about one another before you even think about “popping the question.”
2. BE ROMANTIC!
What moment in your life is more about romance than this moment? There’s nothing more important than showing how much you love someone. Show it with your actions and say it with your words. Make this the most romantic moment of your lives. Your words, your actions, the setting, how you propose should all spell love and romance in the most profound way.
3. BE UNIQUE AND CREATIVE!
Find something that is important that the two of you share together. Maybe it was that romantic bridge on the waterfront where you first kissed, or the walk in the park where you first knew this was the person you wanted to be with forever. Maybe you met online and you have a clever way of integrating that into your proposal. Just be sure that your proposal embraces something that is romantic and meaningful to the two of you.
4. THE RING!
While it sure isn’t necessary to propose with an engagement ring, it is a wonderful custom that exists in many cultures. It is believed that the engagement ring tradition began in 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria placed a diamond ring on the hand of Mary of Burgundy. The diamond was selected because it not only reflects a rainbow of brilliant light, but is the most durable substance known on earth. The ring has been chosen as this symbol because it represents the eternal circle of love. The ring is placed on the finger next to the little finger of the left hand because it was believed by the ancient Romans that there was a vein in that finger that led directly to the heart.
5. MAKE IT A SURPRISE!
This is a huge part of making this moment special. It’s a lot more romantic and memorable when it isn’t expected. So don’t be predictable! Don’t make it public. This is about the two of you, one of the most romantic times in your life, a moment to share exclusively. That doesn’t mean you can’t integrate family and friends into the engagement celebration after you’ve already proposed — and hopefully heard, “Yes!”
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