We're tying the Knot

We met at the Gin Mill (an absolutely disgusting bar) in downtown Denver… it was a very serendipitous Friday night for both of us. I was talked into a Rockies game and after they lost, we hit the bar. While we were at the game, Brian had been playing poker at a house party & sitting next to my friends, they all became buds when they realized that they were wearing matching attire so they busted out of the game & headed to the bar. I saw my two friends & then I saw Brian & I instantly knew he was different… I was excited & curious & a little bit tipsy… this was late into the night after all...so I threw on the charm & much to my surprise & disappointment Brian wasn’t interested… he claims that he was being respectful as he didn't know my single status. When he finally did make a move it it was too late… he was in the middle of their beer pong game and handed me a $20 to “go grab us some drinks.” Being the strong, independent woman that I am & being annoyed at his lack of interest or charm, I took the money to the bar, where in line contemplated my options…A) it was now after 12am and my mother has always reminded me that nothing good happens after midnight, B) uber isn’t surging, C) he isn’t even interested…D) if I go back to return the $20 without drinks they won’t let me leave… so without a better option, I Irish goodbyed with this money. Once in the uber, I was distraught with guilt so I tipped the driver with all of it. I still hadn’t heard from my friends by the time I got home so I prayed for the best and went to sleep. In the morning, the guilt was compounded & I frantically texted my friends hoping that one of them at least scored his digits so that I could attempt to apologize for the theft. When I finally tracked him down, he didn’t even want to be paid back but negotiated a date in exchange for the debt… on our first date, he cleared up his assumed lack of interest … turns out he is really quite charming after all…

On May 24th I woke up with a funny feeling that I shouldn’t wear any rings… I always wear rings on each hand but I thought for a fleeting second that perhaps I would be getting a replacement ring this day… it was a Wednesday and still weeks before our Gin Mill anniversary where I was pretty confident a proposal would be coming. Brian & I had plans at the first dinner date spot he took me to- We were on the patio sharing a bottle of wine, when he got the idea to attempt to scalp tickets to Chris Stapleton’s show at Red Rocks that same evening… it was a beautiful night so I was down for a drive from Denver to Morrison to see what we could score. My babe, the charming salesman that he is, was able to talk his way into two FREE tickets, row 14, to the show & free box office parking. We walked into our seats as Chris came on stage. Red Rocks was as beautiful as always & Chris Stapleton was incredible! The night could have ended right there & I would have been happy! But then! Brian had another idea to hit an old date spot… it was now 11p or so on a Wednesday which is atypical for us so my interest was peaked… we hit Hole 7 on the golf course that I used the live behind… but nothing happened. We talked & laughed but that was it… no ring. Then he had another idea to hit the Gin Mill so of course I said yes but luckily we didn’t have to go inside (if you have ever been there, you know why). We sat out front talking & laughing some more… still no diamond. And then he says “one more spot” that was also an original & the same thing went down… as he put it I was a rabbit chasing a carrot (pun intended). Finally, we got back to his place & he convinced me to join him on the patio (our first & still best date spot) where he got down on one knee. It was after midnight at this point (take that Mom!!). He had champagne already chilling so we sat up under the city lights, sipping champagne, reminiscing about the night we just had & all the dates that led to this moment. It was magic!