We're Getting Married!

From Jessica's POV: I remember well, the day I began working at Rackspace, I promised myself I would focus on my career and not worry about men. :) Then, during the first week of orientation, I met a handsome charmer with a great smile who was fearless in front of the room of our 100 new colleagues. After stepping away from my desk, I returned to a folded note that read "smile :) ". The guy next to me pointed to Mateo and said it was him. During our break, I asked him if it was him who put a note on my desk. His response, "No way, that is so middle school." Then HE smiled and the rest is history..... From Mateo's POV: It started with a smile - a smile given and a smile acknowledged - when from across a crowded auditorium of eager and energetic employees in training, a woman smiled at a man and BOOM, life changed forever. It’s that smile that prompted me to blow my entire paycheck on Spurs playoff tickets to impress her on that first date. On our second date, with her humble smile, she didn’t miss a beat when, cash strapped, I grabbed us What-a-Burger and parked my Jeep so we could listen to the next game on the radio. We had more fun than if we were at the arena. I thought, now this is love. Today, it is those smiles, exchanged and acknowledged, and two hearts that sustain a deep connection. I’ll never forget that day in April when I looked up from my table to see a bright, beautiful and enthusiastic face with a smile from ear to ear open and eager to what life might present her; in this case a life-long friendship and a lasting love.

During a round of golf in Cedar Park, TX with his dad and my mom, we came to the fifth hole where Mateo began rummaging through his golf bag. He turned to the group asking, "Who is messing with me?" Since our parents knew it was coming, he thought for sure they were involved. The ring was not in the box. When he turned and showed us the empty box, I was sure I was being fooled. Alas, it was not a joke and the ring was truly gone. We had a group of friends waiting back at the Halls' home to celebrate the engagement that didn't take place. Needless to say, we searched trashcans, the course, the house, everywhere. Two weeks passed and we decided to chalk it up to a test of our relationship. The ring was not yet insured. When Mateo returned from another golf outing with mutual friends, he came into our home, got on his knees in our kitchen and asked me to marry him. This time, with ring in hand. We both cried out of relief and happiness. It was in his golf glove all along.