"Love on the Internet & the Three Rings"

Tonette left for Thailand after striking a deal with Brian to visit her on Christmas. He said no at first, because he was not interested in Asia, and thought about going to Europe instead. But he changed his mind later when he started to miss Tonette's company and had to eat out and watch movies again by himself. 

In the meantime we stayed in touch by e-mail and chat. Tonette installed MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger on Brian's computer before she left. For a year we chatted for 5-8 hours each time on weekends almost without fail. We both got webcams which made the chats more fun and interesting. We discussed life, love, and death and got to know each other's opinions on money, religion, and politics. Love blossomed on the Internet and at any other time before this our long-distance relationship would not have worked as well. Not without e-mail, chat, or webcams. 

When Brian finally came to Thailand on Christmas he presented Tonette with a "promise ring." They spent Christmas in the Koh Samed, Thailand and greeted the New Year exploring the ruins of the Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

When Brian returned to the States he came to a decision to quit his job and join Tonette in Thailand. Finally in May Brian's application for the teaching position at Tonette's school was accepted. It was a blessing even though Brian was prepared to come to Thailand whether he got a job or not.

Life has been bright and rosy for us since we were reunited. We shared our love for food, movies, and travel with our teacher friends. We traveled to Vietnam for Christmas with Brad, one of our dear friends. In Hoi An Brian gave Tonette a sapphire and diamond ring as Christmas present, adding, "this is not what you think." 

The day before New Year's eve found us in a junkboat in the beautiful HaLong Bay. Brian led me up the deck, and, true to the promise he made the year before, presented Tonette with another ring and asked her to marry him. She said, but only after she opened the box to make sure there was another ring inside.