Last spring, the Pacific Northwest was experiencing non-stop rain for months. Finally, it stopped and the sun burst through the clouds. It could not have been on a more perfect day (Friday) and I was itching to get out of work early. I had also not eaten lunch and I was starving. So when Andrew called and suggested dinner at the Tiger Garden, I happily agreed. By the time we arrived at the restaurant later on that evening I was famished but Andrew kept insisting on taking a walk since it was so nice out. I reluctantly agreed and we started walking around Ester Short Park. I noticed that he was a little quiet, but I thought he was tired. When we reached the car again, I was beginning to feel a little lighted headed. I needed to eat now! I turned back to ask him if we could go inside when I got a big surprise- Andrew was down on one knee with a beautiful ring. I was so excited!!!

As soon as I got the ring, I began debating on how and when I would propose. I wanted to do it on a sunny day, but we live in the Pacific Northwest (ha-ha). I had two possible spots- I was going to take her back to Tiger Garden where we had our first date or the boardwalk near Beaches restaurant. I was home before Jen was one day and it was finally sunny. I made up my mind that today was going to be the day I would propose because I did not know when I would get another day like this. I texted Jen and suggested going to Tiger Garden for dinner. I looked for the ring and I forgot where I hid it! I was starting to get frustrated. Once I found it, I couldn’t find the notes I had written out for what I was going to say! I quit looking for them because I decided to be spontaneous, hoping I would come up with something in the moment. After we parked, I could tell she was starving but I needed to convince her to go on a walk with me. We walked a little bit, not much was said. My totally spontaneous moment was not happening. I waited until we stopped to view a statue.  As she was looking away, I decided to just forget spontaneity, drop down on my broken knee and hopefully that would be enough. She turned around, looked at me and began to gesture wildly, crying incoherently. I did not know what to think- was that a face of happiness, joy or was she just hungry? I could not really tell until she began to smile and start jumping up and down. I was relieved it went well and that she said yes!