Wow, where do I start?? I've told this story so many times, but putting it down in words is a little harder to accomplish.

I got to leave work an hour early because Danny asked my friend, Sara Duffield, to cover my last class so I could go home and get ready for our 4:30 dinner reservation at the Melting Pot.

You know...a part of me was hoping tonight would be the night that he proposed (I'm a woman; I'm madly in love with this guy; I want to get married; it was our one-year dating anniversary weekend), but I was trying to keep my expectations low, because Danny had been so adamant that he wasn't going to propose in December or February (I believed him!).

We get to the Melting Pot, and I noticed that Danny was soooo calm (unlike our date in February when he officially asked me to be his girlfriend). I said to myself, "He's not going to propose. He's too calm."

Anyway, our first course of four was cheese. Since it's a fondue restaurant, they bring a pot to your table and bring you stuff to dip into it. So, they brought three little bowls--chips and bread, veggies, and apples. We had long skewers to stab our food to dip into the cheese.

I was leisurely eating and enjoying the time with Danny. I noticed that Danny ate several pieces of bread quickly without dipping them into the cheese. I didn't think anything of it. I also didn't think anything of Danny suggesting I try skewering a chip. I did, and it broke into several pieces. We laughed, and then my next stabbing of a piece of bread resulted in me hitting something in the bottom of the bowl. I looked down and saw a little box-thing. I honestly thought it was a little thing to keep the bread from getting stale. I asked Danny what it was, and he said, "I don't know. Check it out." I started to open the box, and I said, "No way. No way." and I immediately started crying.

I looked over at Danny, and he was right outside our booth, down on one knee!!

He said some incredible things to me, and I couldn't stop crying. He asked me to marry him, and I said, "Oh shoot. Absolutely!" Since we are saving our first kiss for the wedding day, we hugged a really long time. He then put the most incredibly gorgeous diamond engagement ring on my finger!

I was supposed to eat 3 courses after that... but all I could do was cry! I was so happy, I couldn't stop!

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We ended up only having three courses--didn't have enough room for the dessert/chocolate! Danny kept being kind of insistent on going to look at Christmas lights--I didn't think anything of that too. We stopped at David's Bridal on the way home--that was fun just to look around.

Danny asked me not to text or call anyone before we saw my parents in person. He had told met that he asked for their blessing 3 or 4 weeks before tonight! Wow, my poor mom has had to keep it secret for that long.

So...I cry multiple times on the way (will I ever run out of tears?), but we finally get to my parents' house. My mom opens the door, and I burst into tears! She says, "What's wrong?" and I said, "I'm engaged!" and she starts crying.

So...the four of us sit on the couches facing each other. I start to tell them about how Danny proposed, and my dad reaches behind the couch and takes out his guitar. I still don't think anything of this because my parents often rewrite words to songs and sing them to us on special occasions.

So, my dad starts singing, "Mandy" by Barry Manilow. I love that song...My mom tearfully joins in on the second line. I am crying a lot --the song fits our engagement. Then from the other room, walks...

My brother, Joshua! singing the 3rd line. I totally totally lost it. I remember one other time my brother sang to me and I cried then too. Thanks, Josh!

And if that wasn't enough...all of a sudden, as the three of them are getting to the chorus, the front door opens and in comes 25-30 of my closest friends and family members!! all singing: "O Mandy, well, you came and you gave without taking. You gave him joy all the way. O Mandy, well, you waited, and God brought you Danny, and he loves you."

Oh. My. Word. I couldn't even think straight. I was so shocked! Then my mom had 5 people pray the five parts of Gary Smalley's "The Blessing" over us [see bonus page for that].

This was followed by an amazing surprise engagement party.

My best friend, April, my fiance', and my parents had been planning this most-incredible evening for weeks!! Thank you!!

I got my private proposal, a flash mob, and a huge party with my family and friends.