I had asked Heather and Robert Blackketter to help me move from my first apartment in the Tri Cities. It was Superbowl Weekend, February 2017 and they brought their nephew (who happened to be Chris) to come and help with the heavy lifting. I took Chris and his family out for dinner that evening to thank them for all of their help and somehow got pawned off on Chris to give me a ride home. I was already hesitant and wanting to avoid a relationship altogether. Next thing I knew he was trying to add me on Facebook and get my number. He asked me out on a date just a few days later and although I said no at first, I finally gave in. And the rest is history. He moved me into my apartment that cold day in February and NEVER left. We have enjoyed countless vacations, weekends with family, friends, and many many firsts! It was serendipity, a fortunate happenstance, that we were able to meet that day. I do believe I have found my soulmate!

Chris always goes BIG on surprising me. I have cried like a baby more times than I can count due to his surprises! On this particular date, I was working in my law firm's Yakima office. I had plans with my sister after work to hangout and had planned to visit my grandmother later that afternoon. Little did I know that Chris had linked up with my sister, family and closest friends as he had planned to propose. I knew something was going to happen because several hints tipped me off throughout the week, and that day, my sister had asked to paint my nails (I prefer not to put toxic chemicals in or on my body so my sister asking was pretty odd). I went to happy hour with my best friend Carol, and she told me some story that she locked her keys in her car and figures she would just hangout with me until she could get a ride. So she went to my grandma's house with me. My sister met us there. Walking into the entry there were flower petals strewn throughout the house into the backyard. I followed outside where my closest family and friends (even Monica via skype from Argentina) were waiting for me, as well as Chris. I already knew and immediately was a puddle of tears. Chris had quite the day. First, the ring was not picked up or completed until that same day, mere hours before he had to be in YAKIMA to fulfill the surprise. THEN on his way to Yakima his truck broke down on the side of the road, spewing hot steam everywhere! He barely made it to my grandma's house before I had arrived! With the help of my sister, she had strewn lights with our photos from when we first began dating to present. Everything was absolutely perfect. The ring is my grandma Sue's main diamond from her wedding ring that she left me when she passed 8 years ago. Chris had it fitted on a rose gold band and it is absolutely stunning!!!! A picture of my grandma was placed with the ring box. Everyone toasted with my favorite sparkling wine (Trevari Rose) and we had pizza and cake to celebrate!