I knew at some point Damon would be popping the question...we had talked about marriage at length, and both felt sure that was in our future. We had tried on rings in Jamaica, and I'd found a couple that I really liked. When we got the news that Damon would be coming to WMU for grad school, we focused on his transition to Kalamazoo. I thought it would be nice to have a get together with friends to welcome him to Kalamazoo, so I planned a dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Martini's. So everyone was there, chatting and eating and having a good time, and Damon whispered to me that he wanted to say a few words to thank everyone for coming. So he stood up and started saying really nice things about me, and asked me to stand up as well. I was completely clueless, and just thought he was being sweet, as usual. The next thing I knew, Damon was down on his knee, holding my hand and a ring, and asking me to marry him! I don't remember having any coherent thoughts, I just burst into tears and hugged him close. I kept feeling like I should try to compose myself and say something, but everytime I tried, I would pull away, look at his loving face, look at the gorgeous ring on my ringer, and start sobbing again. I finally realized that I really needed to pull myself together, and so I took a deep breath, kissed him, and went about hugging all of my friends who were there. The entire restaurant burst into applause, and I think everyone at our table was teary-eyed. As soon as I sat back down, my first thought/statement was, "I have to call my Mom!" - to which Damon replied, "Your Mom & Dad already know!". There are some moments that you fantasize about your entire life, and this was one of them. It was a dream come true. 

Have you ever heard of a girl planning her own engagement party? Hmmm. Well Love A Burkett surely planned hers! The ring to aid in The Big Question traveled all the way from Jamaica to Kalamazoo to Glacier National Park in Montana and back to Kalamazoo! Of course, since I am acquainted with the old way of asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage, quickly after meeting Love's parents I asked their permission and blessing to marry their daughter. After showing Love's parents the ring and having received their blessing I was confident that it was time to ask The Big Question. I also told my mother I was ready to propose. 

Love had planned a welcome party for me since I was about to start Grad school in Kalamazoo, so I used that opportunity to ask The Question. The party was held at Love's favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo, Martini's. That lovely afternoon on July 12, 2012, I sealed the deal, in front of a resturant full of people. I asked Love "Will you marry me?" and she said yes...THE BIG ANSWER! I have waited to be loved by someone special all my life and here she was. Someone who cares, who is nonjudgmental and accepts me for who I am.  At last, my love has come along. She was so nervous, shaking and crying and finally I felt like the man I always wanted to be, complete with a great woman - Love A Burkett.