The Engagement Bed

After graduation I moved into a unfurnished apartment. Paul and I were getting married at the end of December so I didn't want to invest in furniture when he already had furniture (if you want to call stuff he pulled from garage sales or the back of the dorms-- furniture) The only furniture I had was a TV I found in the garbage, a few throw pillows, a kitchen table made out of ply wood my roommate's dad cut in the shape of a circle resting on cement bricks and a cheap dresser and night stand I cleaned apartments for in exchange. Billy (my roommate--female) was getting married in March and moving home in December so she didn't want furniture either.

My first paycheck, after beginning teaching I bought a new pair of glasses. I had glasses that were wired at the hinges and welded by the same friend's father.

The second paycheck paid for our rings. I wanted a ring just a simple band would do. I didn't care that I didn't have an engagement ring but I wanted a ring. Paul didn't want a ring but we compromised that he had to get one and wear it the day we got married and then I could care less if he ever wore it again. My parents flew us to Missouri for a "shower" put on by my Grandma and Cousins and for the final fitting of my dress. While we were there I used the paycheck money to get the rings. $210 for the set. The cool thing was the store was at the end of my Mema's (Grandma's)street and my mom and dad got their rings from the same jeweler.

Paul and I were wondering what we were going to do for a bed. He had a twin bed... I had none. So we saved 1/2 of my paychecks for three more pay periods and had $1000 to go buy a bed.

Since I never had an engagement ring-- I called it my engagement bed. Now if you are wondering... my dad never liked the name of it. I loved this bed. It was California King and my mom promised a wedding quilt to fit it. She did come through and oh how lovely it was.

My dad told me to quit calling it "engagement" bed. He reminded me that my new name was going to be winter and he didn't like early winters. I honestly didn't get the joke the first 20 times or so.

By the way... no early winters and I still have the same bed. 17 years later.