This isn’t a how we met story as we already knew each other from Susan’s job at Time and a Half. A random Thursday in February our friend Dayton asked Susan if she wanted to go out for a few drinks, she said yes. Dayton also asked Eric if he wanted to go get a few drinks and he said yes. It was decided that we would go out in Manitowoc and the 3 of us went on our way. It was nice out so after a few bars in outskirts of downtown area we walked to several bars when we got downtown. Let it be it be known that neither Susan or Eric are big drinkers. The rest of the night is a bit fuzzy for both of us. Dayton ended up driving us all home. We were flirting with each other and laughing at something we don’t even remember. When we got back to town we sat at the bar until we both sobered up. Susan got in her car and Eric into his truck, both going home. Our 1st date was 2 days later and 2 years later we bought a house and 8 years later we are getting married. ❤️

The ring. Susan had dropped hints to me for about two years prior on the design of the ring she had in mind. Each one was a little different, but all had a common design. One center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. After many searches, I found the ring. It wasn’t any of the ones she had sent me photos of, but it was one that I found and I knew she was going to like it. One problem, I didn’t know her ring size. One day, I think it was a Saturday, she was working and left one of her rings, that she always wore, on her night stand. An idea popped in my head to take the ring to Kohl’s and see what size it was. Voila, now I have her ring size. The day. Every Valentine’s Day that we have been together, I have given Susan flowers. February 14, 2022 was no different. I went to the floral shop at lunch and stopped at home to drop the flowers off so Susan could see them when she came home from work. She didn’t suspect a thing, and little did she know she would be engaged later that evening. Susan got home from work and I could tell she was exhausted. We exchanged our Valentine’s gifts with each other and I said just wait, I have one more for you. She wasn’t really in the mood for more, after a long day at work she just wanted to relax and head to bed. I told her it was just one more and to turn around. I went to the den and pushed out a large box across the floor so she would think it was just possibly another tool. Well I gently picked up that box, put it back into the den, grabbed the ring box, and got down on one knee right behind her. I told her to turn around. She screamed, and before I could ask, she had her arms wrapped around me. After a few seconds, I was able to tell her that I needed to ask her something. So she stood up and I proceeded to ask her, "Will you marry me?". She said yes. She screamed a little more. We hugged, we kissed, we hugged some more. And I smile every time I tell this story. She makes me happy.