We went to campo de bocce to play bocce ball. I got there a few minutes early and waited for her in the parking lot. Soon as she got out of the car my jaw dropped. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Her long blonde hair beautiful smile and amazing eyes. She was wearing a red romper that fit her perfectly. I was actually a little speechless. So I gave her a hug and we went inside. We got a lane inside and got drinks. I ordered a double jack and coke to calm my nerves and she ordered a glass of wine. The first game I beat her and then she started really playing and beat me by 6 points the second game. So the third game we both were trying hard to beat each other. So after she won we had dinner. We had a nice Italian meal and had a great conversation. She was an amazing woman and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. After dinner we went on an evening hike up in the hills and sat at the top of he hill with the sun going down and talked some more. After that we went back to our cars and I kissed her goodnight and texted her as soon as I got home. Since that day we haven’t stopped talking or texting each other. It will be three years together by the time we get married.

During the first weekend of December, Patrick had planned a trip to Sonora to go visit my grandfather as well as several of my favorite wineries. One week before our weekend getaway, my sister called me to tell that Patrick wanted her advice on how and where he should propose. Thinking I would be sneakier than Patrick, Jen and I planned that she would be hiding in the bushes throughout the day and would be there to take pictures. Little did I know, we spent the whole day wine tasting, yet we ended up going back to my grandfather's house at the end of the night, not engaged. I cannot express how long, awkward and silent this car ride home was between the two of us. The only thing I kept saying was that I was very disappointed in the fact that he drank too much. Forgetting about our family's tradition of Sunday night dinners at my parents house, I quickly threw on comfortable clothes and was grateful when dinner conversation was on everything but the day before. Towards the end of the night, my sister wanted to take a family picture since she was leaving for work and both my grandparents were there. As our family stood on the porch, our song started to play and as I turned to look, Patrick had gotten down on one knee. I could not understand a word that he said during the proposal, all I could do was nod and say, “yes”. When I talked to my sister, she told me that my whole family along with Patrick had planned out the whole weekend. She was never up there following us to each of the different wineries, and he never had the ring with him. To Patrick, it was more important to wait until we were with my family to propose and to have them be there to celebrate this special occasion! On the way home, I had to ask Patrick what he had said when he proposed since we were not able to have that moment together at the time. I am the luckiest woman in the world to be marrying my best friend. I cannot wait until August when I say “I do”, infront of all my friends and family!