Since we were both little, Oakton became our second home. Hockey try outs. Freestyles. Games. Ice shows. We never crossed paths until it finally came time for us to coach. Jon was already coaching hockey for a few years, and lucky for me, I was asked to start coaching hockey alongside him. But what Jon soon realized was: I never actually played hockey ... so it started with a battle between hockey skates and figure skates.

So there is a funny story behind this one ... I asked Jon to help me with my 21st birthday. I wasn't familiar with the local bars ... I was underage (obviously), and I had my college friends coming in to the city to celebrate with me. Since Jon lived in the Little Italy area, I figured he could help me out. Well, the night was so much fun, that Jon asked me to marry him then. Unfortunately, I had to turn down that proposal because I'm a material girl and needed a ring with that question. So after a little thought, the next day Jon asked if I would be his girlfriend.

Five years of dating and we are stronger than ever! Been through the ups and the downs; the moving in and moving out; one fur baby and then two. You'd think we have been married for 5 years. Well, Jon was brewing up something for me. We were planning a nice birthday dinner for myself combined with our anniversary dinner (kill two birds with one stone, right?). As I was getting ready, Jon asked me to come outside because he wants to show me the idea he has for our from porch ... My first thought, "Why the hell do you think I care about the porch if we have to get to our dinner reservation." Well, he surprised me by dropping down to his knee and popping the question in front of my parents, his parents, and his brother's family who were "hiding" down the street (I totally saw them as I stepped outside).