Well,  I did it. I came out of the closet today by sharing the worst marriage proposal ever story as a part of my message at FOTP.  I have started a support group for romantically challenged men.

Pat and I had been dating for a year.  We both knew that marriage was right for us.  We shopped for a ring.  We looked at several.  The next day I purchased the most expensive ring we had picked out.  I called Pat’s father to ask if I could marry her.  His initial silence after I told him who I was concerned me in that I was thinking, “Great.  He doesn’t even remember me.’

I am sure he thought maybe something had happened to Pat or something along those lines.  Once I told him for the purpose of the call he assured me that he and Pat’s mom had prayed for years for her future husband and they knew I was the right person.

Everything is downhill from here.

Pat and went to church the next night. After church we went to a very romantic place to eat – Long John Silvers.  I rang the bell as we left because after all it was a special occasion.

We went back to the church where Pat’s car was parked.  As we sat in the car, I said, “Hey, I’ve got something for you.”

I got the ring out of the trunk of my car and gave it to her.  That was it.  No – will you marry me or anything.  It was sad but being the Godly woman that she is Pat never mentioned it. 

Since I have come out of the closet, I have discovered many other romantically challenged men.  Like me, for years they have lived in shame only magnified by those men who hid the engagement ring in a box of Cracker Jacks and things like that.  It is hard to know if we (romantically challenged men)were born this way or it is learned behavior.  Regardless, there is hope if we are willing to face the truth together.