We first met in the high school band at the beginning of our second year. We dated all through high school and for a short time after before going our separate ways for many years. Our paths crossed again over 15 years later. It was on our "second-first date" that we both felt an instant connection and knew we had stumbled back into something special.
We've known for awhile that we would eventually get married but put other things first...like having kids and just generally getting settled into life. When our friends would ask us when we were going to tie the knot, one or both of us would say, "That's bullshit." It became a running joke for us. Then at our annual family Christmas party, Michael gave Alex a box to deliver to Mandy while she was standing in the center of family room surrounded by family. Alex was supposed to say, "Daddy says this isn't bullshit," but he got nervous and instead said, "this is from me and Daddy." The box was full of tiny bells and jingled when he handed it to Mandy so she didn't think much of it. But then she saw the black box inside with a smaller bow and everything stopped. From across the room Michael said, "What do you say, want to make the official?" Mandy nodded yes.