The Saga of a Proposal or Identity Theft Protection in the 21st Century

Georgia's right, I knew after the Halloween party that she was the one. There was no doubt, not ever a question, I would marry her. It was just a matter of asking. And that pesky ring.
The plan was simple, we had discussed it since February. I would use our joint Continental Airlines rewards credit card to buy the ring at BlueNile.com and earn enough points to fly to Greece for our honeymoon. It seemed like a great idea, however the devil is always in the details.

We decided to take our summer holiday in the Pacific Northwest. The lure of crashing waves, trees that brushed the sky, and mountains that supported the heavens themselves was too much to resist. It was the perfect setting for the proposal of a lifetime.

Two weeks before we left Georgia was away for the night on business and I seized upon the opportunity to order the ring. I stopped at my parents on my way home from work and with my heart fluttering and butterflies dancing, sat down at their computer to order the ring. Georgia had decided on the cut and the setting months before, I only had to pick the diamond. As I finished placing the order, I realized I would have to change the shipping address to my parents house since the large purchase required a signature, and I couldn't have it come to our house for Georgia's discovery. When I called the credit card company, my heart sank and the butterflies stopped. Since Georgia was the primary cardholder, I needed her social security number or her mother's maiden name to authorize the address change, and I knew neither. Frantic and short on time, I called her up. "Hey baby, what's your soc?" "Why?" she asked. "What are you doing?" "Nothing," I replied. "I just need it." After a few more questions and a litte dodging on my part, she gave it up and I called the credit card company back. I got the address changed and everything seemed on track. I also notified them of the unusual charge so there wouldn't be any other surprises. There's always more surprises. Always.

The ring arrived safe and sound the following week. Before I trucked it across the country in my carry-on I wanted insurance, so I found a website online and applied for a policy. Wouldn't you know it, I needed the social security number of the person who'd be wearing the jewelry. Of course I was at my parent's house but this time Georgia was waiting for me at home.

I used the cover of doing some photo work for a wedding I had recently shot as the reason for my delay. I had left Georgia's soc safely at home in a notebook, so again, I was forced to call her. "Hey, babe, what's your soc again?" I asked. "Why? What are you doing?" she questioned. "Your being really sketchy." "I just need it," I pleaded, "nevermind why. Ok?" She gave it up again, and I bought the policy. As a condition of the policy, I had to submit the appraisal. I could do it electronically, so I tried. And tried. And tried. The website wouldn't take my PDF and the email attachment wouldn't go through. I came home late. Georgia was suspicious.

I faxed out the appraisal the next day and prepared for the trip...