He swiped-right and I swiped-right, it was an instant match. New Years 2017 was the start of a new beginning. After a few days of getting to know each other, Chris got the courage to ask if I would like to have lunch with him. Without hesitation, I said yes. We planned to meet for the very first time. I was both nervous and excited. We met for lunch at BJ's Brewery on a Thursday afternoon. During our date, we talked about his big move from California, his family, my family, my sweet daughter Leah, and his disbelief that I had never tried BJ's Pizookie dessert. We talked so much that I didn’t get to try the dessert but he promised to bring me back so that we could enjoy one together. Little did we know this was the start of our lunch-date weekly tradition and the beginning of us.

Chris and I had been dating for about a year and a half and things were going great. He would always say that in seven years we would get married, so I had no idea that a proposal was coming my way. Over the course of a few weeks Chris was studying to become a licensed engineer. He had an 8 hour exam scheduled on April 13th. Earlier that week he had mentioned the idea of having his sister Janessa watch Leah on Saturday so that we could go out for a few hours. I knew he needed it from all the studying and grueling hours spent taking the exam, so I was with it. Saturday came and it was just a normal day, I didn’t notice anything strange and I didn’t feel any different. Janessa came to pick up Leah, and Chris and I headed to grab some food and drinks. We told Janessa that we would be home by five. We went to Legacy Hall, in Plano. We talked, laughed, ate and drank, just totally enjoyed each other’s company. Five o’ clock rolled around and we began to make our way back to the house. We pulled up and I noticed that Janessa had beat us home. I walked in and to my surprise there was my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, plus my nephews, along with Chris’s parents who live in California, Patty and Carlos, Breanna, Janessa and Zach, and of course my Leah. I was so shocked and confused, I had no idea why everyone was at our house. I began to say hello to everyone and asked what was going on, and then, IT HAPPENED. Christopher grabbed my hand and said “Well babe, ever since I met you and Leah my life has been amazing, I love you guys, and I want this to be forever. So I want to ask you something, WILL YOU MARRY ME?!” The tears instantly began streaming down and I managed to get a few words out, the first word, “Yes!” & then I ended it with, “YOU TRICKED ME!” Copy the link to watch our special moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9IOCkYcGbU&feature=share