They both sensed that things were changing when he invited her to come to Aruba over winter break. She hesitated, but during Thanksgiving when he was in Colorado and she in Columbus, he received a picture of a purchased ticket. They were going on vacation!

I was soooooo glad when Kim brought Christian home! After a period of thinking he might be a remote control (my greatest fear), I discovered that he loves me very much. And he likes to play ball almost as much as me! His heart also expanded tenfold when I got sick and he was dreadfully worried about me. But now I'm feeling a lot better and am so excited for him to be my Daddy!

I was disappointed when Kim brought this new man home. I have always been her beloved. But, not to worry, he hasn't displaced me as the most perfect being. I was also disappointed when he turned out not to be a fool and I couldn't trick him into giving me extra breakfast. Or lunch. Or supper. But I know he cares about me and so I make him some of my tastiest biscuits.

Christian by now knew he wanted to marry Kim, and he set in motion Operation Kimposal that would lead to a Kimgagement. He lured Kim to Los Angeles to visit a number of jewelry stores, but one was a clear favorite. Behind her back, he proceeded on purchase actions and then set in motion the engagement party.

A difficulty in arranging the engagment was also a benefit. Christian was traveling in India for two weeks, and Kim had no idea that a ring had been purchased. So with the help of Barb and Lou and several secret agents (thanks Laura, Anna, and Sam) working behind the scenes, Christian prepared a ruse. 

Early in the previous December we had traveled to Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate Pierre Agostini's receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physics. It happened that Pierre was leaving Columbus, OH following the weekend of April 6th. So Christian arranged for his future parents-in-law to throw a "farewell" party for Pierre. After a few hours Christian called everyone into the living room ostensibly to deliver a speech for Pierre. But when he kept talking about Kim, everyone realized that it was actually a proposal, and Kim said YES!