We're Getting Married!

I was a freshman and Ian was a sophomore during the 1988/1989 school year. We both lived in the dorms and were friends who saw each other on campus, at the CI (where we ate meals), at parties, and at other activities. Ian was a handsome, funny, and athletic guy who was easy to like, but we always dated other people and remained just friends during our college years. Fast forward 25+ years, I happen to be coming out of Albertson's Grocery Store just as Ian was walking into the store. We said hello, chatted for a minute, and then his phone rang so our conversation was cut short. A day or two later he messaged me on Facebook, apologizing for the interruption, and asked if I wanted to have lunch. We got together for lunch at Buffaflo Wild Wings and really enjoyed each other's company. He was so easy to talk to and it was awesome catching up. We found out that we have much more than Whittier College in common. Among other things, we are both teachers, love the Dodgers and Lakers, have children the same age, and love 80's music! After that day at lunch, it was obvious that we belonged together. It felt so easy and natural to fall in love with this wonderful man!

We were out of town at our favorite Irvine hotel, celebrating my birthday. After coming back from dinner, Ian told me to stay out of the bedroom while he prepared a birthday surprise. When I finally was able to go into the bedroom, there was a beautiful display of candles, cards, boxes, and a gift bag on the bed. Each little box on the bed had a card in front of it. The first card had the date of when we initially ran into each other at Albertson's. Inside that box was a gift card to Albertson's. The second card had the date of our first lunch together at Buffalo Wild Wings. Inside that box was a gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings. The third card had the date when we first went to Opening Day at Dodger Stadium together. Inside that box were tickets to the upcoming 2019 Opening Day. Finally, I got to the gift bag. Inside the gift bag was a watch box. Inside that box, along with a beautiful watch, was a card that said "Date: TBD". On the back of that card it said, "Will you marry me?" I was shocked and I believe that my first word was, "Seriously??!!" When I turned around, Ian was on one knee with a gorgeous ring in his hand. He asked me again if I would marry him and I started to cry. Apparently, I didn't actually answer the question because he then said, "Is that a yes?" LOL! It was a beautiful moment and an incredible expression of love. It melts my heart that he would go through so much trouble and stress (he says he was completely stressed out!) to plan the perfect surprise proposal. I am one lucky girl to have found this amazing man. He is truly my happily-ever-after!