For our first date we decided to meet at Lake George in St. Cloud, MN. We chose to walk around, talk and try to see if there was any spark. I knew things were going great, but was preparing to say goodbye for the day, as I knew Francis had a long drive and early morning. However, he surprised me when he asked if I wanted to go out for dinner and keep talking. Of course I said yes, I was smitten already. We chose to go to La Casita in St. Cloud, and at dinner Francis so politely asked me if it was okay that he had a beer (he is no longer this bashful). In the midst of our dinner conversation Francis then asked if I wanted to keep hanging out, and so I said yes. Next thing I know we are in the very front row of the theatre watching Incredibles 2 because it was the only show not quite sold out. We only stayed there for a short while as we quickly realized there isn't much opportunity to keep getting to know each other in a movie theatre, so we went back to Lake George, sat and watched the stars and talked late into the night until Francis had to leave or he would be late for work. From this day on our feelings grew each day and before I knew it he was down on one knee asking me to be his WIFE!!!
This day started with a kiss goodbye as I left to go shopping with the gals in my family. Francis was extra lovey this morning, asking if I HAD to go because he wanted to spend time with me. I overlooked these words as I had made these plans days in advance and was just wanting to shop. I told him he could come with, but he insisted he had SOOO much work to do at home. So, I left and had a great day shopping. I came back after about 5 hours of being gone, to see that the house was still not clean, the garage was untouched and Francis was upstairs playing a video game. Naturally I was upset, I was standing downstairs asking him why he didn't do any of the things he said he was going to. He had no response. I told him we had limited time to get ready now for my sisters birthday dinner at Little Fiesta, so we both got ready and went on our way. As we neared the restaurant I apologized for being so upset he did nothing, but I still tried to get him to tell me what he did ALL day. He said nothing. We sat down at the restaurant and we were having a great time chatting with family, but Francis kept going outside to. Eventually, when he and my brother came back in I did not think anything of it, so I was eating my dinner, looked to my right and see Francis down on one knee!!! As fast as he could, he said "Ali Tresco will you marry me?!" Of course I said yes. I could not believe he had actually surprised me. I am the nosiest person, but he never cracked and told me what he did all day was pick out the perfect ring with my mom and sister.