Get Engaged in Italy - Proposing Over A Slice Of Pizza

If you are thinking about asking that special person to be a part of your life forever, one of the best and most romantic locations on earth has to be the country of Italy. There are many different locations to go to for just the right spot. However, the foremost location may be the most romantic ever. That is the city of Venice, Italy. Venice, known as the city of canals, or the city that floats, is surrounded by saltwater where travel on a water bus, otherwise known as a gondola can be a wonderful way to see the sites. Definitely, renting a water bus, taking a picnic lunch and some wine would be just the romantic set up for that special someone.

Another good choice to pop the question is to travel to the romantic Italian countryside, perhaps to Tuscany. Good wine and simple, but excellent food makes this a wonderful choice for an engagement. Tuscany is known as one of the most beautiful artistic centers in all of Italy, with the city of Florence as its capital. Tuscany is in the center of Italy and has been home to some of the world's most famous individuals such as; Michelangelo and Leonardo di Vinci.

If you want to relax in the surf and the sun, either prior to or after your engagement, the Italian Rivera may be the correct choice for you. The white sandy beaches and the beautiful and quaint seaside villages perched into the hillsides make a wonderful, romantic backdrop for the big event, getting engaged. Off of the island of Capri, one can take a boat ride on the beautiful blue waters, after your engagement to toast the beginning of your lives together.

If your girlfriend is interested in fashion, choosing to become engaged in the city of Milan could fit the bill. Milan is considered of the world's most famous high fashion locale. Milan is one of Italy's largest cities and offers a great deal to do, other than shop for fashion. Food in Milan is much different than most tourists will think of when thinking of eating in Italy. Milan residents eat more rice than pasta and almost nothing with tomatoes in it, preferring veal to other meats, etc.

If you are down to earth person and wish for a simpler, less fussy location to pop your question, try the city of Naples. Naples is well known for its many pizza parlors. Getting engaged could be as simple as ordering a pizza and proposing over a slice.

Barrie is a social blogger writing about what ever is on his mind at that moment in time. With a number of years experience in blogging and article writing, thought it only right to share what's on his mind.

Living and working in the UK on a number of social media campaigns, Barrie is an enthusiastic and dedicated social media consultant with an eye on current and future trends and activities.

Original article

The Engagement Ring: How To Pick The Perfect One

There may be no bigger choice between a man and woman than the choice to get married. Before taking this step, it is traditional to have an engagement period. However, prior to the engagement period there is the search for the engagement ring. It can be a stressful time for men because this is the moment that will link to the start of a future and of course a hope that all will go perfectly well. It is not uncommon to have your partner be present for the choice but it will take away the surprise aspect of it.

Ask The Help of a Family

Engagement rings can be thousands of designs so where do you start? It always helps to have a member of the family try to get pieces of information. Keep your ears open when beginning the search especially if you are trying to keep it as a secret. It is not uncommon to find subconscious hints from your partner.

Ask Yourself a Few Questions

To make your search less difficult, also ask yourself these few questions in your hunt for a perfect engagement ring:

How much would I like to spend?

The cost is far less important than finding an engagement ring that will perfectly fit your partner. However, taking into consideration all other details will lead you to an engagement ring that will truly impress her which will also suit your budget. In fact, a decent woman won't even bother to ask the price tag.

What type of personality does my partner have?

It is also important to consider your partner's personality. Surely you will gain her deepest appreciation once you present her with an engagement ring that perfectly fits her character.

What color or types are her other jewelry?

Does she prefer classic jewelries or contemporary ones? Or does she prefer silver, gold, or diamonds? If she favors diamonds, it is important for you to consider details in terms of band, cut, color, or style before purchasing one.

What size is she?

Take also in consideration your partner's body type. For a larger woman, a ring with a bigger gemstone and a larger setting would perfectly suit her and vice versa.

These questions are just a guide to get you thinking about your partner. Picking an engagement ring should be a great experience that is a kicking off point to your future. Take your time and pick wisely because an engagement ring will be with you for long!

Learn more everything you need to know when it comes to engagement by visiting our site as well as handy tips and advice especially when choosing a diamond engagement ring!

Original article

Excitedly Engaged With a Hint of Doubt

"There is a way that seems right (good)... but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12(emphasis added)

I dated a good guy for several years, started when I was about 14 years old. From a worldly perspective, he was good in every sense of the word. He was good looking -tall, dark, and handsome! Additionally, there was no doubt in my mind he'd be a good provider for our prospective family! He was career minded, having job offers even before eventually graduating with a business degree. He was good at handling money too. He spoiled me with what he made, and not just with material items. His actions were always kind; he was consistently gentle and respectful toward me.

He had a nice, loving family to boot. You've heard it said, "you marry your in-laws too!" Well, I had it made in the shade with my prospective in-laws. They accepted me as if I was there own for years. I remember his mom cooking every meal as if I would be there, lending a listening ear whenever I needed to talk, and helping me get ready for college. His family supported and encouraged me on every occasion; I never doubted whether they would be in attendance at celebration ceremonies such as my high school and college graduations, homecoming queen ceremony, or ball games at which I cheered.

Even the timing of our relationship was good. Things at my home had gotten progressively worse over the years with quite the unthinkable occurring about the time we began dating. When things got crazy, his family provided a nice escape for me. The normalcy in their home was refreshing. I was welcomed with open arms anytime I showed up to their house, day or night. Initially, I had no doubt I would someday marry into the family of the career minded, good-looking, capable, respectful guy who spoiled me!

But there was one great problem which I didn't see as great at the time. The problem was spiritual! You see, I had been saved at a young age, literally asking God to "be my daddy" one night when things were chaotic at home. The Lord had been faithful, stepping into my life granting me the peace and security every person craves. However, the closer I got to my boyfriend, the further I strayed from the Lord and His ways. I eventually traded the unsurpassable peace that only Jesus gives for a false security that physical intimacy with my boyfriend provided. At a very young age, my boyfriend and I began having sex.

Over the years, it had been super easy to justify doing something so wrong that felt so right! With the promise ring he'd given me eventually replaced by a beautiful engagement ring, eight years into the relationship we found ourselves getting ready to pursue our plans to be married and start a family. However, amid the excitement, a deep down nagging feeling of doubt within me persisted. I caught myself wondering if I had given God the opportunity to bless me with The One He intended me to marry. I also wondered if my motives to marry were pure. Was marriage simply the next step I was taking to justify sexual sin? I decided to ask God.

God's response to my heartfelt prayers shocked me. "Flee from sexual immorality..." rang through my spirit. I'd known several people who'd married to make it right, but the Lord continually confirmed I was not to do so. After much prayer, I broke off the engagement and set out to be sex free for a while. With God's help, I was successful. After taking several huge steps of faith to remove myself from temptation, I grew closer to the Lord Jesus and found myself at peace once again.

Soon after I'd completely removed myself from sexual sin, I attained what I'd never dreamt possible, contentment as a single person! Not too long after that, the Lord seemingly moved Heaven and earth to gift me with The One I know I was meant to marry! The result of my faithful obedience and trust in God alone soon revealed that my good plans for marriage had paled in comparison to the man God desired to gift me. Oh I still believe to this day that I could've married the good fiancé I dated for years; I might've even had a decent life. However, to know beyond the shadow of a doubt I married the person God designed specifically for me, well, is indescribable! I will never regret having surrendered my good engagement to God, testing His faithfulness, and waiting His way for marriage!

What about you? Are you fully and completely convinced the person to whom you are about to wed is The Absolute One God has for you to marry, or is there a hint of doubt resting at the bottom of your heart? If any unrest is present, I beg you to get alone with God, call off the wedding, and find contentment in Christ alone. Only when you realize and choose to rest in God's great love toward you, will you believe that the marriage plan God has for your life is better than the seemingly good plan you've been pursuing! I urge you to fully surrender your good dreams to "the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)," to the one who longs to replace your doubt with "the peace that surpasses all understanding!" (Philippians 4:7) Remember these words next time you ponder walking down the wedding aisle, "total peace means go; doubt means no!"

© 2011 Dani Miser, Author of Single Woman Seeks Perfect Man (Deep River Books, 2010)

Dani is a Christian author and speaker whose ministry exists to encourage others to honor God with all of their lives, especially in the area of relationships. She writes on a regular basis with her most recent articles being published in YouthWorker Journal Magazine, CBN.com, Archsa.org, WebBiblia.com, and the Healing Hope Herald. Her latest book, Single Woman Seeks Perfect Man: Facing the Consequences of Unhealthy Relationships has been featured on television and radio broadcasts such as WATC-TV Atlanta and Canada's Most Listened to Spiritual Talk Show. For additional biography or ministry information, please visit http://www.getalifeministries.blogspot.com/

Original article