My FI asked my Dad for permission and showed him the ring about a month before proposing. He never talked to my mom (which hurt me and my mom a bit) but my Dad was sooooo happy b/c he was the ONLY one that knew it was coming. My Dad can keep a secret too, I think that if my FI would have asked my Mom it would not have stayed a secret, my mom, sisters and I are very close. It totally threw us off guard my mom, sisters and I were totally shocked! I loved that he did that, asking for permission was very important to me.