From the ArcaMax Publishing, Features Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/features/s-41253-263693
Are you thinking of proposing this Valentine's Day? If so, here are a
few things you need to know.
A proposal should be done privately, just between the two of you. Yes,
you see people on the news proposing in front of thousands of people
or maybe a friend proposed in front of dinner guests at some sort of
gathering. Occasionally you might catch someone proposing at a
restaurant or some other public place. But it's not a good thing.
The reason you shouldn't do this is because it's not fair to the
person you're proposing to. She will not feel free to say "no", if in
fact she isn't ready for marriage. Or maybe she needs time to think
about the question. She'll feel rushed into an answer that may not be
correct. You don't want her to marry you just because she felt
pressured into it; it's a disaster waiting to happen. Start your new
life together on the right foot.
If you still think you need to include friends and family, you can
throw an engagement party after she says "yes", and both of you can
announce the good news together.
Here are a few romantic ideas for popping the question:
Have an indoor picnic complete with picnic blanket, basket and fresh
summer flowers. Fill the basket with all sorts of picnic foods and the
ring box. When she starts taking food out of the basket, she will come
across the ring box and bam, you can pop the question.
Weather permitting, you can go for a walk to a secluded area and when
you sit down for a rest, pull the ring from you pocket, get on one
knee and ask your love to marry you.
Make a romantic dinner for two. Use roses, candles, soft music, wine
glasses and nice dishes to decorate. If you're not a good cook, buy
dinner for two and put it on your own dishes at home. Propose to her
during dinner.
Plan an evening out, do anything from dinner, dancing, go to a show or
go for a drive. Because it's Valentine's Day, add things to your
evening like flowers and other Valentine's Day things. Then when the
evening is over, pull the ring out and pop the question.
Go for wine tasting and a tour at a winery. Buy a bottle of wine and
when sharing it together give her the ring box to open. Ask her or
have a note or poem in the box with the ring asking her to marry you.
Plan a romantic weekend getaway and propose when the moment feels
right.
Whichever way you choose to propose, make it heartfelt and have fun.
After all, you will be spending the rest of your lives together.
Congratulations, and I hope you have a long and happy marriage.