"Did I know that he was going to propose?"  The answer is yes, but I thought it would come much later in the summer.  On that day, my last day of teaching first grade for the 2011/2012 year, the thought did not even cross my mind.  We had talked of going to see my parents for father's day and the plans were made, but that Fri. I was looking forward to only one thing - being done with that school year.

Having finally finished cleaning up from our end of year party, I headed to the ice rink, thinking mostly that I just wanted to see David.  He had promised over a month ago to bring me out to celebrate my last day, but it was a surprise and he wouldn't tell me where we were going.   We were going to meet at the rink and skate a bit first.  I always did this my last day of school, and I thought nothing of David joining me, as he usually practised on Sun. and wouldn't be able to on the coming Sun, because of Father's Day. 

When I got to the rink I pressed Morgan, fellow figure skater and friend (also David's instructor for his Wed. night adult class), to get out of David where he was bringing me.  When she agreed I immediately felt guilty, and told her she'd better not tell me and ruin David's surprise.  "You know I'm going to find out anyway." she replied.  Torture... having Morgan know and not knowing myself...  After being on the ice for a while, (I was not really concentrating on my skating)  I resolved to put away my guilt and have Morgan tell me what she found out.

But when she came out she began skating like she was practising for the Olympics.  Knowing she did have a competition coming up I resolved to let her skate, but when I saw David get on the ice, I immediately went over to ask him about it.  When we were about half way across the ice, he stopped skating , and said he would tell me if I really wanted to know.  That floored me.  He was really going to tell me, after keeping it secret for so long???

Then he confused me some more, by saying we were done with one chapter of our lives, and didn't I agree it was time to move on to another.  "What on earth did this have to do with where we were going that night?"  I remained bewildered for only a few more seconds, as he got down on one knee.  I was schocked.  I remember saying "No way...!!!" and the video shows me doing a quick turn.  Then he asked me "Lori Van Hofwegen, will you marry me?"  Of course I said "Yes!", but quietly, and I think only David heard it.  

Then he said, "I think I'm going to need some help getting up!"  I completely understood - my legs were shakey too!  The whole thing was being filmed by Morgan and Therese who were trying to film on their phones, and celebrating with us at the same time (note that clapping and filming simultaneously doesn't really work)! 

The ring David picked out for me was beautiful - perfect.  We went to see "The Sound of Music" that night, and anyone who knows me, knows that nothing could have been a better choice!  David told me why he chose to propose at the skating rink, on the ice, and that touched me more than anything else.  He told me the ice had been my sacturary, my place where I could be myself more than in any other place for the past 5 years and he had always felt it would be the best place to propose.  He was right.  And I thank God every day for the gift he has given me in this wonderful man!  I am blessed that he will be my husband!

It was Friday, June 15, 2012 and I was getting ready for skating...no, let me start from the beginning.  When I first decided that Lori was the love of my life, I knew I was going to ask her to marry me.  The only questions that remained were "when" and "how".  I had searched for a while to find the perfect ring and when I found it I bought it.  Now it was just waiting to find a home on her finger.

As we approached the end of the school year I decided to take Lori out for an evening of fun after her last day of school.  "The Sound of Music" was playing at the local dinner theater and I knew she loved it.  When I ordered the tickets I though, "This will be the night I propose."  Now, on June 15th I was getting ready for skating and starting to second guess myself.  Maybe it wasn't the right time, maybe she would rather not have it be the last day of school, maybe...but I decided that maybe it was the right time.  I knew I wanted to propose to her on the ice, in the place that she loved so much.  I was getting good enough at skating that I thought I would be able to handle it.

When I got to the rink I saw Morgan (she was leaving as I came in).  She stopped me and asked me where I was taking Lori.  She told me Lori had told her to try and get it out of me.  I told Morgan I would tell her, but she might want to stick around.  Morgan's eyes got wide, she jumped back and forth saying, "No!  No!  Is it what I'm thinking!  I'm staying!"  Morgan was jumping up and down so excitedly that I thought Lori would see her through the window so we moved away and out of view.  I got my skates as Morgan put her's back on and I asked Morgan how I was supposed to get down on one knee in skates.  Her initial advice was to fall and just get to one knee as I got up...we decided to go a different route.  After her instruction (as she had been doing all summer) I was confident that I could do this.  

The closer we got to the ice the weaker my knees got.  For a while I wasn't entirely sure I was going to make it out to center ice.  After getting on the ice, Lori met me and we began a leisurely skate toward the center.  Morgan had gotten on the ice looking very determined and ignoring everyone.  

We arrived near the center of the rink and Lori was pressing me about where we were going that night...she had no idea what I was planning.  That's when I told her I would tell her if she really wanted to know.  She looked a little surprised, but I continued.  I told her that one chapter of our life was ending and a new one was about to begin, and now she looked really confused.  Finally, with my heart pounding out of my chest, I got down on one knee and pulled the ring box out of my pocket.  Lori was so shocked and said, "NO WAY!" as she squealed and spun around.  When she was looking at me again and smiling so big I said, "Lori Van Hofwegen, will you marry me?" and she immediately replied with a very soft "Yes."  Now that I was on my knee they had become so shaky that I needed help up.  Morgan and Therese were screaming and clapping while I placed the ring on Lori's finger.  

That night we went to the dinner theater to see "The Sound of Music" and my Mom and Sister were there, although we had not actually planned that part and they were sitting at another table.  We spent the night eating good food, watching a wonderful production, and enjoying our first night of engagement.  Every time I looked at her I wondered how lucky I was to have such a beautiful and kind woman who loves me.  I thank God for bringing us together and I cannot wait for each coming day.