Maybe it's the fact that he's ready to propose. Something in today - something in the way he looked when he opened the ring box to see for himself what would be accompanying that question - made me settle quietly into this afternoon.

I don't usually envy people and their dating relationships. They are often drawn-out, sometimes for years, often tedious, frequently the reason people cannot volunteer for this or that because, you know, they already have plans.

But I think the moment before he asks is like sunset over the desert landscape. Even Arizona looks beautiful in pink; even dating looks beautiful as it holds out its hand to become engagement.