Tell us all about him! He is the charming fellow in your graduation pictures, right? How did he propose?
Yes, he is that charming fellow (and he'll be tickled to know that this is how he's being called).
There was no proposal. Sorry to disappoint, but there was no story. We just both, together, realized that this is the next natural step, and went along with it. So, in a way, the story is that there was no story.
We've known each other for ever. Like, longer than I know any of you guys sort of forever. We studied for our BAs in the same year, and then both continued with grad school (my lab was on the floor above his). We were always friends, but never more than friends. We even tried to go out for a couple of months a few years back, but it didn't take, and we just stayed friends. And were pleased that it didn't spoil our friendship.
Then, a bit more than 9 months ago (which is considered forever, in terms of observant orthodox Israeli couples), he suggested we try again. He said that he hadn't given it a real chance on the first round. To me, this came totally out of the blue, but I was always up for trying. And here we are.