It started with Colleen Eddy, a friend and fellow FCPS educator. Join our virtual ceremony on March 21 to hear both sides of the story!

Proposing to Sannie presented one unique challenge. My daughter, Carol, approved of the ring and whole-heartedly supported the idea, expressing a desire to witness the event. However, she didn't want to know anything about it, afraid she would spoil the endeavor or freak-out from nervousness. So I just needed to figure out a way to get a 10 year old to go along with my secret plan. Easy. After a few failed attempts, and a ring burning a hole in my pocket, I managed to get everyone excited for a walk with the dog. With a small bottle of bubbly in one pocket and the ring in the other, I steered us to a lovely garden at the edge of the lake by my house. Carol soon vetoed that idea as being too far. So I settled for a park nearby with a little lake peninsula. Once we reached the water's edge, I managed to convince Carol to cease thrashing a bush with her switch and take the dog's leash. Dropping to a knee, fumbling through my pocket, I presented Sannie her ring. Words having failed me, Sannie was kind enough to ask if I had a question for her, to which she replied in the affirmative, making me a very happy man. Carol, of course, found the whole episode, "So cringy."