We met how many couples do these days - online. OkCupid was the free version of Match and Eharmony, so of course that's where we found each other. We messaged a couple of times, but Ashley was more interested in meeting in person, so we met at Aster Cafe in St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis. We were supposed to meet at Vic's, right next to Aster, but there was a wedding reception there so we went there on a future date instead. Our first date involved hours of talking and enjoying wine. Our second date lasted over 8 hours of us talking, laughing, and adventuring around Minneapolis and the Walker Art Museum.

We were getting ready to host our annual Christmas party; I was busy in the kitchen; Jay was putting up Christmas lights and decorations outside. Then, Jay asked me to come outside and look at the lights. I was irritated because I was trying to get food ready, but I agreed and started to move towards the door. As I did I spotted something red outside and thought irritatingly to myself, "What did he buy now?!" I continued towards the door, opened it and saw a huge flailing arm tube man (think car sales lot) and on the tube man read the words, "Will you marry me?" I turned around and Jay was on one knee with ring in hand. I said, "Yes," of course and laughed at how original and very unique to Jay and our relationship this proposal was. You see, whenever we passed a car lot Jay liked to point out how much he liked and wanted a flailing arm tube man. I would always laugh at that. I kept laughing and smiling after this unique proposal, and then all of our friends arrived to our Christmas party. We left the tube man flailing all night. It was fun to see people's reactions when they arrived and our Christmas party turned into an engagement party.