For the next two weeks, Mark and I often did things together after work when we were able. Sometimes he had 24 hour duty and had to be at work for that whole 24 hours, sometimes I had the duty. We really had a good time together everywhere we went. We had discussed our own future plans, and one of the things Mark told me was, he was never getting married! I was a little surprised, but never really talked about it after that.  Mark would be leaving for 45 days in the middle of July 1979, as he was going to Hawaii for temporary duty. We had formed a nice friendship, but really hadn't gone much beyond that point. He asked me to drive him to the airport, and drive his car back home. He also gave me the key to his room and told me to feel free to use anything I would like while he was away! I was very surprised and honored that he felt he could trust me after knowing me for that little bit of time.

I was not prepared for the feeling that over came me when I waved good bye to him at the airport! I began to cry as I walked away. I think it was because I knew for the next 45 days I would be alone, and I was comfortable having someone to do something with. I was not sure that I really liked Mark more than a good friend but, I did not like being lonely. Mark wrote to me every single day he was away. He would send cute little cards, and letters that told about his days. His letters began to say "Love you" and "I miss you". It was funny because he hated writing letters, and forced himself to write his mother once a week as she insisted. While he was gone, I kept myself busy with dating "Sailors". I remember one guy who came in on a ship, asking me out at the Dental Clinic. I agreed, and took him out in my car. We went to the beach and out to eat. He was a nice guy, but I found myself comparing him to Mark. I had already convinced myself I did not like Mark more than a friend, possibly because of his insistance he would never get married. I wanted a life companion, so that is what I was searching for. A young junior officer took me out, and he rented a car, took me to the officer's club for dinner, and out to a club to dance. Now, I was not one to go to clubs, so I was really uncomfortable the whole night. This young man spent the whole evening apologising for the rental car, he said I would be riding in his Mercedes if we were at his home. I happened to think the rental car was extremely nice! He apologised for the officer's club, and said back in his home town he would be taking me to some exclusive restaurant I never heard of. I was awed by the officer's club! He spent the whole night telling me if we were back in his hometown, he would be spending all this money. I think he was trying to buy my affection. The one big problem he could not, or would not realize was he was an officer, I was enlisted. This is forbidden in the military. Not to mention that he drove me absolutely crazy by persuing me with all his money. I finally had to pretend I was not home when he came to my door, and he got angry. What a sigh of relief when his ship left the port for parts unknown to me! I was beginning to realize what kind of a man I wanted through all this.

A letter came from Mark saying they might finish up early in Hawaii, and might be able to come back 2 weeks earlier than planned. It was right then that I realized I was in love with Mark. Very hopelessly in love with a man who did not want marriage. I decided I was going to prove him wrong, but just how would I go about doing that? I decided it was best just not to say anything about marriage. If it was God's will, it would come in time.

Around the middle of August 1979, Mark returned home from Hawaii. He had bought me some presents too. He bought me this beautiful dress that was floor length, with dolphins on it. I loved that dress, but was never able to wear it, as it was a bit too long, and I didn't have a sewing machine to fix it up yet. He also brought me two short sets that said Hawaii on them, two pineapple candles, and two mushroom shaped candles he had watched them make in front of him. I tell you, for a guy who wanted nothing to do with marriage, he was certainly generous! hehe I was so glad to have him back. We spent every available day together after he returned. I was in love with him and he knew it, and he in return had fallen in love with me while he was away writing all those letters and buying all those presents. I remember he would kiss me and then tell me he was never getting married. We could live together he would say, but never marriage. I was not that kind of a girl, so I told him no way would I ever live with him outside of marriage. Whenever he said he would not get married, I would simply say "ok" in a way that suggested, "You'll change your mind!" This went on from his return in August, until early November, when he found he had to go back to Hawaii for at least 45 days, possibly longer. This time he wanted me to take vacation and come and stay with him in his hotel room. His mother and friend were going to visit there while he was there too. I gently told him no, that it was not proper for an unmarried girl to stay in a hotel with a man, no matter how much she loved him. He said he understood, and we once again parted, and this time I really dreaded the wait!

Letters came from Hawaii almost every day again, telling me of his adventures, his visit with his mother and her friend. He also told me of the sniper that had shot several people where he had been earlier that day. That really scared me, because I didn't know how I would have stood it if he had been the one killed. He had a really wonderful time, and I did my best to keep busy till he would return. It looked like he would not be home until after Christmas, which was depressing to me. I missed him so much, it was so hard to be patient. One day, a couple weeks before Christmas, Mark called me to tell me he had bought me something! I was surprised to get a phone call from him! I was used to him buying things, so I casually asked him what he had bought. He sheepishly answered, "A ring." I asked him what kind of ring? He again sheepishly said, "a wedding ring." I was speechless for a second! Then I said to him, "You said you were never getting married, what made you change your mind?" He said he had a lot of free time, and was shopping in the exchange, and happened to see this ring, and said to himself, "I think I will buy this ring for Diane!" Then he told me I would not be able to see it till the day he put it on my finger at the wedding ceremony. He also said we would shop together for the engagement ring, and the "official" asking would be on Christmas eve. He would be home before Christmas! I was so excited I could hardly wait! It would only be a couple days until he would be back home! I did not tell my parents, as I wanted to wait until it was "official"!

When Mark got home, I teased him about not getting married. I asked him about that day he bought the ring. He said it was funny because he had no intention on getting married, nor buying a ring. When he saw it though, he said he felt he just had to buy it! He just said ok, and bought it! That night he made me turn my head and close my eyes, and then tried it on to be sure it would fit for the wedding. Perfect fit! I was most curious as to what kind of wedding ring he could buy that I couldn't see. The next day we went to the base exchange and shopped for an engagement ring. I picked out a modest Blue Fire diamond! I was not permitted to have it until he "officially" proposed. We also checked into what date would be good for the wedding. We found that I was having extreme difficulty with my commmand (work company) in getting me the extension on Guam so our tours would match. In fact they told me if I did not get married by the end of February, Mark and I would be separated in duty stations! Could I plan a wedding in 7 weeks? Talk about instant stress! hehe

On Christmas eve, Mark had me over to his room, and asked me to marry him, I tried so hard to come up with something funny, but it all left me. All I could do is say casually "sure" He laughed and said "Sure? Just sure?" I just laughed and said, "You know I will"! It was very sweet. The next day I tried and tried to call my mom and dad. All the base lines were all tied up. I could not get through. The day after Christmas, we went shopping for material for my wedding dress, and I asked the owner if I could make a collect call, and they agreed! Collect to mom and dad from Guam! I told my mom of our engagement, she was not surprised, but when she asked me when, I told her February 16th! She said rather loudly, "WHY SO SOON??" I told her because we had to! Wrong thing to say! I didn't mean it as it came out because her next question was even louder, "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO????" I had to say rather loudly, "Mom! Not that kind of have to!"  hehe She calmed down after that and I explained if we waited, our military tours would separate us if we waited longer. She then understood, and said it will be fine. So began the plans for marriage! If you would like to see how we planned everything, just click the link and continue!

This background was created exclusively by me