We're getting married

Britney and I met on Bumble (dating app). She swiped right on me because of my witty profile words! We texted briefly before I asked her for dinner (she heard, "drinks"). Before we met we had a phone conversation to figure out where to meet and my funny sarcasm and charm was front & center. She was pretty funny, too. We were both excited; I was to be Britney's 543 first date!!! The odds were in my favor ;-) I was a little delayed in picking her up, but I still remember the moment I first saw her walk out the front gate, like it was last week/yesterday. I wasn't being 'catfished'! We had great first date banter and laughs and some kisses. She wore this crazy hairclip and wanted me to see it (not making this up). It said 'GLAM' on it- I was mesmerized...or something. We sat at the bar and although, the news of coronavirus was eminent, and despite a friend of hers urging her not to go, we had Britney's very last FIRST DATE. While we were at the restaurant, the WA governor announced the lockdown would begin the next day at midnight. So we did what everyone was doing - we quarantined together, just the two of us and Indie, for 31 days straight. I was furloughed for work, Britney continued to work from home. We spent weekdays at her condo, weekends at my house (calling it, 'our weekend cottage'). We fell in love quickly and fully. Spending every day and night together without the distraction of people or any place to go. This time of quarantine was very special and we really got to know each other so well, without distraction in the spring/early summer of 2020.

Chad and I decided our date night would have to be this night, a Monday night because we had stuff going on the rest of the week and I was leaving for work on Saturday. Monday, it is. I was being very difficult because I didn't really want to go to Al Lago, my restaurant I work at because I had worked 3 days the week before and was due to work 3 days this week... I was burnt out. But, it's Chad's favorite restaurant. He was very amenable and said, "okay, where do you want to go?" I finally agreed to Al Lago. I also didn't want to go late, I told him, "let's go early like 5pm". He again was like, "Okay, what time do you want to go?" Looking back, the place and time had already been determined, because he'd gone there, walked in through the back door and talked to the manager and made arrangements for the proposal that night. So my objections were completely null & void! We got there, sat outside in the beautiful & wonderful cabana, I'd never sat in before. It was a perfect Seattle, summer evening, overlooking the lake. We had appetizers, salads, our main course and Chad even wanted dessert, which was pretty shocking! Our waitress, the manager on duty, said, "I'll choose a dessert for you guys", because I couldn't choose between 2. When she brought out both desserts I was deciding on I thought, 'oh the restaurant must be giving us the 2nd one complimentary', how nice of them. I started to dig into one of the desserts! THEN she brings out 2 glasses of sparkling rose' (I had already had one with dinner). But, to bring 2 glasses, I was like, damn, 'we really must be being super romantic, because they are pulling out the stops tonight' (we were awfully cuddly/romantic). Both the 2 desserts with flowers on the plate- which is NOT how we normally plate desserts- plus the 2 glasses of Chandon Rose, should've alerted me the proposal was imminent, but somehow it didn't. I thought FOR SURE, I would be able to tell without a doubt when Chad would propose because he would certainly be acting different and I know him, his behavior very well. He was cool as a cucumber all day. I looked over and Chad actually was drinking the champagne. I said, "You're partaking in the bubbles!" That was the 3rd clue I should've picked up on. Nothing. Then I had a sip of mine and went back to my desserts. Then Chad said to me, "What's that in your glass?" When he said that, I started to realize OMG is there a ring in the bottom of my flute? If there wasn't I didn't want to play myself, so I leaned all the way over and put my face as close to the flute as possible. And there, at the bottom was my dream ring! I don't remember alot, but I remember saying, "oh my god, oh my god" on repeat. I also remember crying hysterically and laughing at the same time (that can be done). I think I grabbed Chad and buried my face in his chest. I also think I asked him how to get the ring out. Before I could dunk my dirty finger in, Erin, our server was there with a stir spoon to fish it out. She gave it to Chad and he got down on his knee and said.... I don't really remember, but I was telling myself to breathe and to say yes in between my tears of happiness. It was so beautiful and thoughtful and just for us, which I loved. Now, I call that cabana at Al Lago, 'our cabana'.