After a cancelled business trip, we decided to use the weekend and rental car for a quick trip to Orange Beach, Alabama. We drove down Thursday night, Feb 24th 2011, and after the long trip, indulged on some seafood and a few drinks. 

Early the next morning, Feb 25th, I scurried downstairs from our highrise condo to etch in giant letters in the sand, "Valaree, Marry Me?" Still early, she had not waken yet. I brewed some coffee. Nothing. Fearing my work would be washed or brushed away, I tried to wake her. She refused every attempt. Frantically, I yelled, "There's dolphins out there!" Groggily, she mutters, "Dolphins? What? Where? I want to see" and pulls herself out of bed. 

Trembling with excitement, I fumbled the ring out of my pocket and followed her onto the patio. As her eyes adjusted and she saw the question, I presented her the ring and stuttered through my proposal. 

She said yes!