A long awaited announcement!

I am pleased to announce to the Hotter than New Love Nation that Ms. Amanda Crane and I got engaged on the 30th of December!

We went to daily mass at 7 a.m. at St. John Cantius in Chicago, the wind was blowing fiercely and the church was warm and the mass beautiful. After mass we knelt down in front of the nativity scene and prayed silently for a few moments. I remember looking up at the holy family, particularly at St. Joseph and meditated, as I had so continuously for the past 6 months or so, on what it meant to be a father and a husband. His face looked stern, concerned, and compassionate. He did what had to be done, out of love, for his family ... at any cost. He was totally devoted and chaste. His entire purpose was to nourish and supply for the Holy Family. And it was in front of the Holy Family that I asked. And she said yes!

The ring I rescued from the people's republic of Portland. It is a 1930's vintage art-deco ring. It is entirely hand crafted. The white gold arches and delicate buttress-like supports on the side of the ring lead up to the hand cut circular diamond, perfectly cut to reflect every bend of light.

I had a conversation with Aaron Berlin, my former master, expert winemaker and friend asked me, "So you spent most of the money you earned in the long harvest, working the night shift 15 hours a day on a ring?"
"...Yeah" I replied.
"Cool!" he said.

After over 16 months of my rambling and wandering I have finally come home to Illinois to be near the Amanda and the Crane family. We have already begun wedding plans and are looking intently and anxiously to the future. Your prayers and telephone calls are greatly desired!

Cheers!