I had an enjoyable and successful book signing event for Across the Great Divide last Saturday at Gemini Moon in Mount Clemens, Michigan. The ladies who run this gift shop are amazing and a delight to be around.

My favorite part of the publishing process- apart from that final sigh of relief when a project is complete- is going out and interacting with people.

While there I met some pleasant people, as they strolled in for some weekend holiday shopping. In fact, I have yet to have any sort of negative experience. Perhaps I may at some point, but I count myself lucky that it hasn’t happened. Listening to stories of their personal experiences with the paranormal is both rewarding and exciting.

The smiles on their faces as I personalize a greeting to them makes me smile, which in turn makes them smile even brighter. It is an energy which I could never tire of.

Aside from a successful evening of book sales. the most memorable and cherished moment of the event was when I surprised the most important person in my life with a proposal. To say she was surprised would be an understatement.

For those curious as to how it played out:

Our table was in front of a small bookcase. Racheal and I would occasionally pick up a random book to look at in between meeting people. At one point I picked up a tiny red book with a heart-shaped clasp and said, “This is cool,” and handed it to her. She opened it and saw that there was handwriting inside. She began to realize that it was my handwriting, with each page a memory or thought regarding our storied relationship.

She looked up and I was holding the ring box in my hand and said, “Are you ready for eternity?”

Her immediate reaction was that I was joking, as she repeatedly asked if I was before calling me an ass and said, “So, what are you asking me?”

The brightness of her beautiful face as she looked at me with her deep blue eyes was captivating. I looked into her eyes, welling with tears, and asked her to marry me. I slipped the ring on her shaking hand and kissed her.

Our friends in attendance hugged us and cheered. Of course, they had to wait rather impatiently to post any pictures on social media while we contacted our family to tell them the news.

The ring, itself, was handcrafted by an artist in California. It is a puzzle ring consisting of 4 bands linked together. Racheal’s spirit animal is the crow, so the main crossing bars of the ring are hand-etched to resemble crow feathers, with an anthill garnet as the center stone.

A few friends joined us after the event at one of our favorite restaurants for a few drinks and dinner.

I look forward to our next chapter of a life full of living with a heart full of love.