A Decade and a Half in the Making

As you know, we’re in Mexico right now. This was written last week and is being automatically posted. I probably won’t be back online until the end of the year, so comment moderation will have to wait until then. I hope everyone is having a good holidays.

mexico

Caitlin and I are now in our fifteenth year together.

Way back in 1994 I walked into Stainless Studios — this is before I worked there — and she was working the counter. I had a huge instant crush on her, and from that point on our lives moved in parallel. I started working with her, as a jeweler, and like a puppy bringing their catch to their master, I made her jewelry after jewelry, including a spiral ring that she wears to this day. I got to know her as a talented, creative, and funny dream-girl and muse that I admire, respect, and Love to the bottom of my heart. She inspires me to create and to be the best I can be, and she makes me dream of the future and desire to improve it and live it with her.

We’ve had a few bumps and scrapes along the way, but they’ve never dulled our love and for most of these fifteen years we’ve been close friends, and often more — for the last two years, much more. I’ve gone through a lot in the last two years — medical difficulties and a trying legal dispute. Without her loving support it would have been hellish, but with my life so full of love, I felt like nothing could hurt me, and I still feel that way. A constant euphoria fills me when I think of Caitlin and the family that we have here — as well as being the perfect partner for me, Caitlin is a wonderful “step-mom”. I would never invite someone into my life if I didn’t feel they were as good a fit for Nefarious as they are for me, and Caitlin is caring, warm, and understanding with both of us.

As I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, today in Mexico I’m going to be proposing to her… It’s something I’ll only get to do once in my life, so I want to succeed in having it be an ideal romantic memory. I chose one of my favorite places in the world — one that I think she’ll like as well — and am going to tell her how I feel, get down on one knee, and pop the question… For real. Wish me luck!

Picking out an engagement ring is pretty nerve-wracking… it’s something you really want to get right. I knew I wanted something special and unique, and I knew that Caitlin is far too exotic for anything I could easily find in a store. Because I knew she liked their work, I went to Deadringer and commissioned them to make me a custom Armageddon ring, with a pair of citrines set into the eye sockets — they look amazing contrasted against the shadow patina. The inside is engraved with “1COR13″ (a love-themed tattoo that we’ve shared for a decade), and a part of my head tattoo (meant to say “you’re always on my mind”). It’s really beautiful — the pictures don’t do it justice.

deadringer

So, when I return, I hope it will be with my fiancé.

I Love Caitlin and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

79 Comments

  1. Spy95 wrote:

    Make sure to get down on the good knee! I’m sure she appreciates the effort. Good luck!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 2:44 pm | Permalink
  2. Rebekah wrote:

    In the immortal words of The Waitresses:

    “Doing Christmas right this time…”

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 2:44 pm | Permalink
  3. K wrote:

    ohh! yay marriage proposals! :D who can say no with a wicked ring like that?

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
  4. congrats to both of you :)

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 3:23 pm | Permalink
  5. Lizz wrote:

    Oh my God! Congratulations to both of you! Pictures or it didn’t happen :)

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 3:30 pm | Permalink
  6. Becca wrote:

    Congrats!!!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 4:29 pm | Permalink
  7. Rachel wrote:

    Good luck, Shannon!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 4:52 pm | Permalink
  8. Haylon wrote:

    Awwww Congradulations. We all know she’ll say Yes!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 5:12 pm | Permalink
  9. DTM wrote:

    Effin awesom. Iam bribri and I just got married as of 12:15 on 12/15

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 5:24 pm | Permalink
  10. stampo wrote:

    Shannon, best of luck to you. I was never in at the start from BME but realised that you were a hugely positive influence on the site. I have drifted from it now, but regularly check your blog and wish you all the best in anything you do, especially if you are setting out on a new chapter in your life.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 5:35 pm | Permalink
  11. Sockrocker wrote:

    Congratulations, I hope.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 6:02 pm | Permalink
  12. Aww Bless.
    Wishing you beautiful years together.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 6:33 pm | Permalink
  13. Bookie_Chick wrote:

    Awww that’s so sweet Shannon!! Best of luck!!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 7:39 pm | Permalink
  14. Gracie wrote:

    May you spend many more wonderful years together. Good luck!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 7:47 pm | Permalink
  15. Chanel wrote:

    Damn I am such a crybaby. I wish nothing but the best for you two.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 8:50 pm | Permalink
  16. Sarah wrote:

    OMG that’s great!!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 9:47 pm | Permalink
  17. JonnyButts wrote:

    Congrats to both of you! All the best in this new year :-)

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 9:50 pm | Permalink
  18. krs wrote:

    this is so beautiful and so right, all the best to you!

    i checked your page just routinely, expecting the “we’re off to mexico for two weeks” posting.. but even without ever meeting one of you in person, this posting gave my heart a little hop. :-)

    all the best to you and your loved ones!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 9:56 pm | Permalink
  19. BJ wrote:

    Oh oh oh thats terrific! Congratulations and good luck! Ah thats soo romanic!

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 10:01 pm | Permalink
  20. owen wrote:

    Shannon I have been reading your blog for a long time even though you do not know me I feel rather attached to you. Seeing you happy is awesome and i hope that you get the answer you want and deserve. You and your family are in my thoughts happy holidays.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 10:06 pm | Permalink
  21. Raskin666 wrote:

    Nothing but the best of luck to you! I have no doubt that she won’t have to think twice about that question! This is nothing short of great christmas news

    Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 10:11 pm | Permalink
  22. MissJanet wrote:

    I really hope that Caitlin says “Yes”, but why wouldn’t she? Congratulations from Germany. :)

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 6:47 am | Permalink
  23. DON wrote:

    That’s terrific news: I’m absolutely delighted for you!

    As one who had the good fortune to celebrate my 36th wedding anniversary a couple of days ago, may I wish you both a very long and happy life together.

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 8:26 am | Permalink
  24. Ali wrote:

    That was a wonderfully sweet post. Best of luck to you both! <3

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 8:48 am | Permalink
  25. Gillian wrote:

    SO THRILLED AND IN AWE!!!!!!!!!!!

    Congratulations you two! YAY!!!!!

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 11:26 am | Permalink
  26. James wrote:

    Good luck and best wishes.

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 2:43 pm | Permalink
  27. Jordan wrote:

    Congratulations Shannon, best of luck to you.

    Merry Christmas

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 4:02 pm | Permalink
  28. Predator wrote:

    I’m sure she will say yes.. I would… And I’m a dude, haha!

    Congrats and good luck to both of you :)

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 4:25 pm | Permalink
  29. Joanne wrote:

    That was beautiful, brought a tear to my eye. I’m sure she’ll say yes.

    Hope you guys have an awesome Christmas.

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
  30. MickeyFinns wrote:

    Hope the proposal went well and good luck :), very happy for you.

    Also not the focus of your post but that ring is ****ing awesome!

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 5:17 pm | Permalink
  31. Dara wrote:

    awww! Yay! Grats!

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 5:54 pm | Permalink
  32. Jill wrote:

    Congratulations!!!

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 5:56 pm | Permalink
  33. James wrote:

    Congratulations and the best of luck! This should make the trip even more spectacular.

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 6:18 pm | Permalink
  34. Blackwell wrote:

    Congrats Shannon!! From what I’ve read I’m pretty sure the answer will be a yes..

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
  35. Sara wrote:

    Ah, that’s so exciting! Best of luck to both of you, hope it turns out well. :)

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 8:08 pm | Permalink
  36. Mary wrote:

    That is wonderful! I wish you the very best! Congratulations!

    Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 10:17 pm | Permalink
  37. TiNK wrote:

    I wish you all the best and hope you are only as happy I am with my hubby :)

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 2:58 am | Permalink
  38. Richard Larratt wrote:

    yes

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 6:18 am | Permalink
  39. estrojenn wrote:

    she is going to shit her pants over that ring!!! huge congrats to both of you.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 6:47 am | Permalink
  40. Yahooooo!!

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 7:50 am | Permalink
  41. Paul McCaffrey wrote:

    Congrats man, awesome ring, awesome news, hope you’ll both be very happy (well more so, just in a legally binding type way ;) )

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 8:01 am | Permalink
  42. R wrote:

    I have a little something in my eye. Congratulations!

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 9:11 am | Permalink
  43. Elizabeth wrote:

    I’m with Richard on this. It’s wonderful.
    XOXOXO!!!

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 10:11 am | Permalink
  44. gaz wrote:

    awesome :)

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 1:35 pm | Permalink
  45. Jes wrote:

    Absolutely wonderful! and such a great new beginning to a great long running story.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 2:05 pm | Permalink
  46. darcy wrote:

    OMG…..wow, what fantastic news. Wishing you both all the best of everything.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 3:39 pm | Permalink
  47. Congrats old friend.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 4:06 pm | Permalink
  48. Megan wrote:

    I seriously just got so teary eyed with goosebumps.

    such a beautiful thing for you to be so happy!

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 7:50 pm | Permalink
  49. Nicole wrote:

    Joan told us over Christmas dinner!

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!
    All good things come in time. I am so happy for you guys and havta say… ’bout effing time!

    xo.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 8:24 pm | Permalink
  50. i really got chills reading that.

    congratulations, i assume.

    Friday, December 26, 2008 at 11:02 pm | Permalink
  51. Ego Kornus wrote:

    Well both of you, i guess everything went out well, Congrats.

    Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 6:10 am | Permalink
  52. Anselm wrote:

    Best of luck! I’ve never met you, but somehow this makes me happier than several engagements I’ve heard about from people I know face-to-face. You and your projects have had a profound and positive impact on my life, and I hope you find immeasurable quantities of pure joy.

    -Anselm

    Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 1:52 pm | Permalink
  53. dresden wrote:

    Congrats man! I hope all is going awesome.

    Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 5:04 pm | Permalink
  54. Congratulations Shannon and Caitin, all the best.

    Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 5:05 pm | Permalink
  55. Gemma wrote:

    Congratulations!!

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 4:25 am | Permalink
  56. angela wrote:

    congrats & good luck!

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 7:08 am | Permalink
  57. 1 Corinthians 13? *nods head*
    Congratulations hon, I wish you the most perfect day ever. Good luck, not that you’ll need it. <3

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 2:13 pm | Permalink
  58. Allahkat wrote:

    Congratulations!

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
  59. candace wrote:

    congrats

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 3:44 pm | Permalink
  60. Metalheart wrote:

    thats beautiful, Im really happy for you man!

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 4:56 pm | Permalink
  61. Ghobian wrote:

    Yay! Good luck! That ring is wonderful :)

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 5:33 pm | Permalink
  62. kent wrote:

    All the best to you both for many many years.

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 6:18 pm | Permalink
  63. estrojenn wrote:

    it’s pretty funny that some people post congratulations on this page, and then go and say the exact opposite in other places. weird.

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 8:27 pm | Permalink
  64. Surinder wrote:

    Congratulations! :)

    Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 9:34 pm | Permalink
  65. Allahkat wrote:

    Okay that sounded juicy. Sorry, but it did.
    And seroiusly, for anyone hating, you can fuck right off. Caitlin was there before, and after anyone else. And she has gone through a lot of hell to be with Shannon so just let them be happy; because they will be whether you’re trying to give them grief or not.
    They are meant for each other. The end.

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 4:41 am | Permalink
  66. Nicole wrote:

    I just want them to hurry up and get pregnant already!

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 7:09 am | Permalink
  67. estrojenn wrote:

    not juicy. just stupid and typical. i agree…get preggers caitlin!!

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 8:50 am | Permalink
  68. Brenda wrote:

    Congrats!!! I wish you both happiness through all your days together!

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 12:06 pm | Permalink
  69. Ashley wrote:

    YEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    :D :D :D

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 2:42 pm | Permalink
  70. Joan wrote:

    Thank god it’s out Shannon, it was killing me..I HAD to tell Nicole at xmas dinner once I knew you were gone..I’m so happy you two finally get the happy ending you both deserve, and Nefarious is gonna be thrilled <3
    Love to you both

    Monday, December 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm | Permalink
  71. skip wrote:

    Congrats!!

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 7:25 am | Permalink
  72. LotN wrote:

    Best wishes to all three of you. And congratulations!…

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 8:54 am | Permalink
  73. peteD3 wrote:

    Good luck and Congratulations!!

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 12:22 pm | Permalink
  74. jenna wrote:

    I am so happy for you both! This news made my week. =D

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 5:02 pm | Permalink
  75. Caitlin wrote:

    I said yes. How could I resist?

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 6:24 pm | Permalink
  76. Gillian wrote:

    YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 6:41 pm | Permalink
  77. Erica wrote:

    15 years? Man, you’re a pretty crappy boyfriend for knocking up another chick while you’re dating ;)

    Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 1:03 pm | Permalink
  78. Richard Larratt wrote:

    ERICA

    thank you for stating the self-evident

    as is often not understood
    the black and the white
    is usually grey

    It cost John McCain the presidency twice

    and from everything I have read
    his wife has forgiven him
    not that forgiveness was ever ask – real life is grey -

    a reason we must always do as again and again I saw shannon’s grandfather do -

    but never should we doubt that while most of us are all mixed up a bit good and a bit bad

    there walks among us

    pure evil

    and if you ever have that vampire down

    the stake the stake

    thru the heart

    because if you don’t

    the vampire will be back
    when you were thinking

    move on

    pure evil

    thank heavens as rare but
    there is case of pure god

    one man end’s the british empire

    what was his name

    Friday, January 2, 2009 at 12:52 pm | Permalink
  79. Richard Larratt wrote:

    good

    Gandhi

    Friday, January 2, 2009 at 12:55 pm | Permalink

One Trackback/Pingback

  1. Famous by proxy » Further updates on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:32 am

    [...] My [...]

Wow Shannon, that's really annoying! What is it, 1997 on Geocities? Retroweb is NOT cool!

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *
*
*