We met on a whim when my mom and I decided to go to Lakeview House for an early Mother’s Day dinner. To our surprise we had a handsome, charismatic and funny waiter with tattoos and if you know my mom those are NOT her favorite. I was reluctant to give him my number so my mom did it for me on the receipt. I remember her saying specifically “just go on a date it’s not like you’re going to marry him.” Things didn’t work out at first but luckily Mike didn’t give up and a few months later we went on our first date and have been head over heels ever since.

Mike had a big elaborate engagement plan that was months if not years in the making. But the weather and some other things out of his control got in the way. I was getting antsy and suspicious about when it was gonna happen but he was able to pick the one time I thought it was definitely not happening. We were visiting my brother, sister in law and niece and I said to my mom before we left “ no way he’s going to do it this weekend with the family, it would be too good.” But to my surprise, as Mike normally does, he exceeded expectations. Under the beautiful Japanese cherry blossom arch he got down on one knee and I was caught totally off guard I remember crying and falling to the ground. Truly the happiest day with some of our favorite people around to share it with.