Darlene and Erik met the 22nd of October, a fateful night at Rock Tequila Bar & Grill. We both were with friends across the restaurant from each other. Erik was nervous and intimidated looking over at Darlene's table. She on the other hand was beautiful, calm, and collected. My friend and I decided to break the ice with a two rounds of Fireball. Erik again, was a nervous wreck sweating like somebody hit the bullseye on a dunk tank. We talked. We laughed. Erik's friend decided to go but he was glued to his seat looking at the woman who had eyes like a bottle of jasper. A karaoke song Volver Volver and a Norteno dance later, the night was ending. As we parted ways, Erik knew he had to see Darlene again. It was her eyes...it was her voice...it was her passion for life. So we exchanged numbers and the rest is history.

After a wild night with mutual friends at a concert event...emotions ran high and they also ran low. Throughout the dramatic flow of fervor, despondency, and desire...conviction settled into the hearts. Erik knew then that even relationships will always have good times and bad times, but that the conviction and love for another, a partner, was paramount. That next morning waking up to the rising sun Darlene looked like a dream one never wants to wake from...a dream so real that a future could be envisioned and actualized. Erik turned to Darlene and said, "Be my girlfriend." She said, "Are you sure you want to take this step?" He said, "More than anything...to you I shall be as a Husband and you to me as a Wife." Then she smiled as bright as the sun that was streaming through the blinds.

The night was clear and the air was crisp at the Pomona Valley Mining Co. Everybody was going to be there for Darlene's Moms surprise dinner, even Aunt Titis. Big O had sent out the word so we all knew what that meant. Driving up the hill careening through the winding road gives a slight sensation of vertigo...and Erik's head and stomach felt like it was part of a Cirque De Soleil act. Onward they went up the hill and parked. Darlene was all smiles ready for her mothers dinner; family means the world to her. Everybody was having a great time and the food was amazing. You could feel the nervousness in the room. Without a hitch, Big O passed Erik a glance and he gave the nod. "Hey everybody, I've got something to say," Big O said. Everybody got quiet and all eyes were on him, all except Darlene's who's were glued on her mom. Erik interrupted the silence. "Uh, before Big O talks, I would like to say something to the family too...You all have been more than a family to me and I wanted to share something...Babe, Darlene Macias," Erik said stumbling out of his seat and dropping to a knee. Panic and nervousness raced across Darlene's face. Erik continued, "Mi amorcita de mi vida...from the moment I sat down next to you at the Rock Tequila Restaurant, I never wanted to get up. Even as my friend walked away and left, I just couldn't make myself to get up-because I didn't want to. You're the most incredible, amazing, thought provoking, and beautiful woman I know and these past 2 years we've been together have been the best years of my life. I won't give that up. You stole my heart and I don't ever want to take it back. I swear to you that I'm going to give you every ounce of my body that I have left---to make you the happiest woman in the world. Now, will you make me the luckiest guy in the world and marry me?" Darlene looked at Erik with those soft green eyes that reminded him of a cool breeze in mid autumn and simply said, "Yes."