It’s Happening! We’re getting Hitched

I planned a surprise trip to Tampa for a weekend getway just the two of us. I organized the baby sitter and all Maddie knew was to pack a bag, and get into the car. I was sure to get her a Triple expresso coffee before we began driving. It was a smooth drive up to Tampa and Maddie was a good sport not asking too many questions. When we pulled into the hotel I could tell she was excited! All I had planned for that evening was a dinner at My favorite Restaurant In Tampa the Island Way Grill with our favorite bottle of Silver Oak Cabernet. On our way back to the hotel I broke the news that we had to be up really early and out the door at 5 am the next morning. Maddie was definitely confused and was just hoping I didn't sign us up for a 5k. Of course if you know us, we were running 15-20 minutes behind schedule and I was trying my hardest not to rush her. As we arrived and met our hot air balloon pilot Maddie was most definitely surprised as she signed the waiver! As we left the ground the views were amazing. The fresh morning air and the sunrise coming over the treenline was perfect. After all I look amazing in the morning sunlight. Not to mention I was trying to maximize my chances of her saying “Yes!”. As we got higher so many thoughts and feelings began to run through my mind and body. One was how I'm going to get down on one knee in this small basket. The other was the feeling of pain from Maddies hand as she's been squeezing my hand since we left the ground. I asked the pilot to que me halfway though the trip so I could make history. When the pilot flew us through a goal post on a nearby football field I knew that was the moment. As we climbed I que'd the photographer in the next balloon it was time. Maddie was turned around as I got down on one knee. From all the shifting Maddie quickly spun around with perfect timing. As I began to confess my love she froze. Luckily she came to she started nodding her head up and down yes! July 22nd by 8 am we were engaged!

Maddie and I were introduced through mutual friends a couple years ago briefly. When we met I think we were both excited to put a face to the person we had heard so much about. It was a couple years later when we really started spending more time with one another after we attended an engagement party with friends at Paula Pala's home. I definitely had an eye on her that evening and people were already asking questions about us before we had even started. Not long after that I had to ask her out on a date. On our first date I had decided to take her to Sea Level in Bonita. We had a great time, laughing a lot and just really enjoying each other. From that first date we really just kept spending more time with one another and seeing where it was going to go. Within that year we both knew we were with the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with.