We're getting married!

In March 2016, we met each other at Applebee's. Mark arrived in a Nike sweatsuit and I, in a white shirt and high waisted blue jeans. We had no original expectations for the night so I thought nothing of his attire. We sat down toward the left side of the restaurant and ordered my favorite appetizers...chicken wonton tacos and cheeseburger egg rolls!!! Some of the messiest appetizers we could have probably ordered on a first date. Dinner was really good though!!! He got the Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp and I, the Shrimp and Parmesan Sirloin. I never laughed so much with a total stranger and yet it felt like I had known Mark for a long time. After dinner, he suggested we continue the evening with some bowling. I accepted his invitation. We both drove over to the New Brunswick Zone. Again, we laughed and shared stories as Mark tried to give me several helpful tips on how to bowl better. Everything felt so natural between us. At the end of the night, we walked to our cars (which were parked next to each other, faced in the same direction) and gave each other a hug. After we got into our cars, I pulled down my window as he pulled down the passenger side window and we talked there for about 20 minutes before we both drove off in separate directions. All I could think was he seems like a pretty cool person!

To plan such an important event carried more pressure than I could ever explain. My mind was racing with ideas. As I decided, I recalled Stacy's simple elegance and personal preferences. Even though I wanted to plan a grand affair in her honor to celebrate our love, I chose to respect what she wanted. “Going Big” looked amazing and romantic, but that’s not what she wanted. The simple power of just paying attention to a person gives you the ability to focus your energy to love them the way they want to be loved. After all, Stacy deserves that. Now, for the ring, I did my homework! I took Stacy to look at rings to understand what kind of diamond cut she adored. She loves the cushion and emerald cut diamonds. To show her how important she is to me, I had her ring designed so that I could marry the two cuts together. When it was finally in my possession, I was ready to move forward with the most important question that I’d ever ask her to this date. Yes, I was nervous and fearful of rejection but, I was also excited! I talked to both of her parents and my parents and felt the time was now! The plan was to go to her house and ask her to marry me. There were no flashing lights, no crowd or background music like the movies. Instead, it was God, me and Stacy (Sheina was there too to record the moment). I was ready! Stacy was in the kitchen washing dishes. I called her name from the dining room. She replied, “Yes Mark” and caught a glimpse of Sheina recording and began to cry. From there, I just spoke from the heart and asked her the question I’d been waiting for months to ask her. "Stacy, will you marry me?" I was honored she said yes! Reviewing the video, Stacy never looked at the ring prior to saying yes to me! As I remember it, she stared into my eyes the whole time I was speaking to her. What an amazing feeling! On June 15, 2018, it will be official! Stacy will be my wife and I’m sure that this will be a wedding and praise party all wrapped up into one!