Mike & Nicole’s OPP: Does No Mean No?

My girl and I have been together for two years next month. We have lived together for only about 6 months and have a great relationship. She's one of the coolest girls I've ever met and I know it sounds lame, but she really has made me a better person. I was going down a bad path at one point and she made me want to get my act together.

On Thanksgiving, I asked my girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage. He refused to give me permission to marry his daughter saying I was not 'his kind of man.' Now I don't know what to do. Should I still ask her to marry me? Would it be wrong of me to ask her now that he has said no, or is that just a courtesy? I'm worried she will be upset if I ask her after her father refused. Please help me figure out the best way to handle this.

Thank you.