It was a energetic evening out with the girls when Bonnie visited a local favorite restaurant she’d been coming to for years. She always found comfort in its warm, lively atmosphere—the sizzle sound of her favorite foods, and the vibrant hum of laughter and conversation. The hibachi grills were always a spectacle—fire, knives flying, and the flurry of activity behind the counter. It was fun, loud, and a little chaotic, but it was nice welcome kind of chaos. The hostess led them past several occupied grills to an empty station, setting the menus down across from another man. Bonnie, surprised, wasn't expecting to be seated so close to another party. “Guess it’s one way to get to know your neighbors,” she said, her cheeks turning a little pink. She wasn’t usually this flustered, but there was something about him. Without missing a beat, Kassi, Bonnie's daughter, grabbed an empty chair by them, plopping down as if it were the most normal thing in the world to sit by a stranger. Kassi shot Chad a look that could only be described as a “please impress me” kind of look, and continued to study him like a puzzle. He greeted them warmly, his voice steady and pleasant. But it was Kassi who took the reins. Kassi quizzed him, he felt like he hadn't studied for a test he had forgotten about. Chad took it all in stride and chuckled, clearly entertained by Kassi’s directness. Kassi’s mischievous smile spread across her face, and she turned to Bonnie as if it was the most casual suggestion in the world. "Sir, meet mom, Mom meet Sir." Bonnie blinked, almost choking on her water. “Kassi!” “What?” Kassi said innocently, then turned back to Chad, who was clearly trying to suppress a laugh. “My mom deserves a nice guy like you to take her out.” Bonnie’s face turned crimson. “Kassi, we don’t even know him.” “We do now,” Kassi said, flashing Chad another smile. “You’ve got my stamp of approval, what else do you need.” Chad chuckled, clearly entertained by the boldness of it all. “I have to admit, this is the most unexpected way to be asked out.” He turned to Bonnie with a warm, open smile. “But I’d be happy to take you out, if you’re interested.” Bonnie was still reeling, trying to wrap her mind around how smoothly Kassi had just orchestrated this entire situation. Part of her wanted to deflect, to brush it off as one of those things that happened when someone is pressured in the heat of the moment. But another part of her—one she hadn’t expected to resurface tonight—was flattered. She met Chad’s eyes, and despite her nerves, she felt a flutter in her chest. “Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt to get to know you better,” Bonnie said, her voice soft but firm. “If you’re serious about it.” “I am,” Chad said with a grin. “I’m all in.” Now three years later, Chad and Bonnie are saying I do!

Chad had been planning the proposal for months, waiting for Christmas Eve to make it perfect. He wanted the moment to be magical, under the holiday lights in their home, a moment between just the two of them. But the closer he got to the day, the harder it became to wait. Every laugh, every shared moment with her made his excitement grow. On December 23rd, 2023 after a simple gift exchange between Chad's beloved sons, Chad couldn’t hold back any longer. With his heart racing, he handed her a gift, and said " Well since everyone else has opened a gift, I guess you should open on too". He’d meant to wait, but he just couldn’t go another minute with the possibility of a future with the woman he loved hanging in the air. Bonnie opened the gift and there in her hand laid the ring with the words written in the box "Will you marry me?". Bonnie, tearful and overwhelmed, said yes without hesitation. Even though it wasn’t Christmas yet, the moment felt just as magical as he’d imagined.