The "Announcement"

Think back about 7 years... to a pre-historic time... a time before Facebook.  Or some 15 years ago before the dawn of time... to a time before texting and cell phones...

How the heck did people announce their engagement?!?

I spent the first weekend of my engagement informing people of the good news.  Each phone call seemed to cover the same questions: How did he do it?  Is there a ring?  What does it look like?  Have you chosen a date?  Did you cry?


As happy as I was to share the news, it seemed like a task.  I just wanted to sit back and enjoy being "engaged."  Instead, I racked up record minutes on my cell.  Jason's list of people to tell was MUCH shorter, so while he got to relax and watch TV, I was on the phone.


Then the texting started.  I texted some of my friends a picture of the ring.  Texting went SO much faster!  I could just send a picture with a quick message to my friends.  Most of them texted back a congrats message, a few called.

And then, two days after the proposal actually happened, I posted it on Facebook.  This is by far the most efficient way of letting people know of the engagement, but also the most impersonal.  All of my friends were notified on their next log-in to Facebook.  I had comments and likes on my "changed relationship status," comments on my wall, messages sent through Facebook, and both texts and phone calls to my cell phone.


I think my favorite part of posting it on Facebook was the comparison to the postings on my wall versus Jason's.  All of my friends were excited, happy, and knew it was coming (eventually).  Jason's friends, however, were totally shocked.  Phrases like "Holy Shit," and "WOW!!!" only appeared on his page.  It made me smile.


I just can't imagine having to tell everyone in person (or one phone call at a time) about the engagement.  That would take MONTHS!  Or did people just pass the news by word-of-mouth?


I'm sure I offended some people in the process by not telling them in person or calling them immediately after, but I honestly felt a little overwhelmed by the number of people I wanted to tell, and how long it actually took.  If I offended you, I apologize.

Is it bad that I just wanted to relax and enjoy my time with Jason?  
I think not. :o)