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Thank you for all of your stories! Here are the top entries!

WINNING ENTRY:

“Picture, Picture”

In the fall of last year, my boyfriend Josh and I were searching for a new digital camera. After much online research and asking friends on Facebook for their opinions on different brands and models of cameras, we settled on getting a Nikon. Previously, I had owned both a Kodak and a Canon so I was a little weary about making this decision as I had my eyes on the beautiful Canon PowerShot SD1400 ELPH. It was amazing and hot pink! I was positively yearning for this camera. However, at the end of the day, the specs on the Nikon were sufficient and the price was right. Sadly, my precious Canon was significantly more expensive.

So we ordered our Nikon online and it arrived within a couple of weeks. It was alright. It did what it needed to do. However, I began getting so frustrated with the not-so-aesthetically-pleasing menus and interface, the loading times and the quality of shots. I repeatedly made comments about wishing I had held out a little longer and saved for the one I really wanted. But, I had a camera and I couldn't complain too much.

Nearing Christmas, I began to drop hints about gifts I would love. Of course, I mentioned my Canon a couple of times and dropped hints about an engagement ring. Admittedly, I had been hinting at him about marriage for quite some time and he kept having to remind me that it wasn't the right time for us financially especially with the amount we had to spend on Christmas gifts for our family and friends. Christmas is always a time of year where joy and a tight budget come hand in hand so I did my best to understand but I couldn't help feel a little down. I began to really hope for my Canon but knowing its price, I tried not to get my hopes up too high (which is hard!).

Christmas morning came and Josh and I woke up extra early, 6:30 am, on that quiet winter morning to exchange gifts with each other at our apartment before our roommates woke up and before the hustle and bustle of getting ready to go off to family gatherings. We both sat on the floor like eager children ready to open our presents. Josh handed me a small box and I instantly knew it was my beloved hot pink Canon camera. I was ecstatic! I immediately began opening the box, looking at everything inside so excited to finally have it and be able to pass off the Nikon to someone else. Then, Josh said (so nonchalantly): "Turn it on! I charged it for you the other night so you wouldn't have to wait to use it. It takes pretty good pictures too! I had to try it out before I gave it to you!"

Sure enough, I turned on my new favorite camera, and saw the photo (a picture of my engagement ring sitting in an opened jewelry box!) I looked at Josh and said "OH MY GOD, ARE YOU KIDDING?!" In his hand already was a box (I still to this day don't know how he hid it from me in plain sight!). He positioned himself on one knee, and asked me to please stand. He said "Ashley, I love you with all my heart, and I want to spend every Christmas with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"

I said, “yes’! That picture remains on my camera to this day as the first picture ever taken. That day he changed the meaning of Christmas for us, for the rest of our lives. Our wedding will be June 16th, 2012 and I'm certain it will feel just like Christmas morning.

Wedding Date: 6-16-2012
Bride: Ashley

“The Joke’s on You!”

Chad and I had been best friends for 6 years. Then we started dating and getting serious. We talked about marriage several times and I always joked around, "Where's my ring?" Well one of my best friends, Weslia and I were out Christmas shopping one day and we saw this really big fake, gaudy diamond ring. We came up with a plan to buy the ring and wrap it up. She was having a Christmas party with all our friends there on Christmas night. So she was going to say to me, "Becca there is one more present under the tree for you, from Chad." Chad was supposed to get all nervous and say, "I didn't buy anything." Then I was going to open the ring and play a joke on Chad. However, my other best friend, Angela, was coming in from California for the holidays. Chad decided that he was going to propose to me while she was home because he knew I would want her to be in town to share the special time with me. He told them that he was going to buy the ring and propose. My friend Weslia then told Chad about the joke we were going to play on him. Chad and Weslia came up with the idea to reverse the joke on me and instead of wrapping up the fake ring they put the real engagement ring in there.

So we are all at Weslia's house playing board games Christmas night and all of a sudden she says, "Becca you have another gift here from Chad." I start laughing, knowing (well I thought I knew) it was all a joke on Chad. He played the part well, he looked confused and nervous. Everyone had their cameras out and I am not thinking anything about it. I open the box, expecting to say to Chad, "Ha ha, it's a Christmas joke." I take out the ring box, open it and am shocked to see that there was a real ring. I was totally caught off guard and pleasantly surprised. They turned the joke around on me! The best part is that all of my friends were there to witness that moment.

Wedding Date: 7/21/2012
Bride: Rebecca

“Fit for a Queen”

At the end of June this year my fiancé Jamie, my parents and younger sister went to England, Scotland and Ireland for two weeks to visit Jamie’s family. We were in England for a week and then went to Scotland. We were in Edinburgh for two nights and on the first night Jamie suggested that we climb this mountain King Arthur’s Seat which is in by the Queen’s castle in Edinburgh early the next morning. So on Friday, July 1^st we left the hotel at 5:15am (12:15am America time) to drive to King Arthur’s Seat. It was the only time that Jamie and I had alone together as we were on a family vacation. By the time we got to the mountain the guide book told us that there were two paths to the top of the mountain, a long wide path and the rigid path with some stone stairs that went straight up the mountain. As we started we believed that we were going up the wide path straight to the top but half way up we saw stone stairs and realized that we were going up the rigid part. It took ½ an hour to the top of the mountain were it was a gorgeous site of Edinburgh city. It was a bit windy so I asked if we could move down the mountain as I was getting cold. He asked if we could sit awhile to enjoy the view. As the wind was whipping by, I told him that we needed to start heading down. I grabbed his hand to help me up and was wondering why he wasn’t getting up. When I turned around to ask what he was doing, he was holding a black box. He got on one knee and told me that he loved me with all of his heart and would I marry him. I started to cry, said yes and gave him a big kiss! We both had tears in our eyes when I grabbed the ring and put it on my finger. This was now 6:30am (1:30 am America time). The pear shaped diamond was his mother’s best friend’s wedding ring which Jamie was named after her husband who past away at the age of 32. I feel very honored to have this diamond and the beautiful setting that Jamie picked out for it. As we walked down the mountain we both realized that we didn’t remember where we parked and it took us ½ hour to find our car. We went back to the hotel, where Jamie went and to my parents room and told them that he apologized for not asking sooner but he asked me to marry him. Both parents started to cry and gave him a big hug! I then walked into the room and started to cry and gave out hugs. We celebrated all day and the rest of the vacation.

Wedding Date: 10-7-2012
Bride: Katie

“Special Christmas Presents”

Kevin and I have been together for two years. We met on New Year’s Eve, 2009. It was love at first sight. We went up to the mall last year in November so we could work on some Christmas shopping. He asked if he could go off somewhere to go look at something. I said “yes”. Then, on Christmas Eve 2010, when all of my family was around unwrapping gifts and everything, Kevin came over to me. He said, “Excuse me. I have an early Christmas present for my girlfriend. He got down on one knee in front of me and said, "I already asked your Dad and your Mom for permission to do this.

I have never met anyone like you before. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can't see my life without you in it. You make me and my life complete. You are the love of my life. (I was in tears at this point). He then opened the box. There was a beautiful diamond engagement ring. He did this in front of my entire family which included aunts, uncles, cousins, my brother and sister and of course my Mom and Dad. With tears in my eyes, I said, “Yes, Kevin, I will marry you. He put the ring on my finger .We were now engaged right in front of the whole family.

Wedding Date: 6/23/2012
Bride: Sarah

"Follow the Trail of Eggs"

I met Matt in 2005 while we were working at OCB(Old Country Buffet). We were both high school seniors. When I first saw Matt, I was immediately attracted to him and knew there was something special about him. We started to talk and the rest is pretty much history.

So, as for our engagement story...Matt and I had planned a trip to Atlantic City, NJ, over Easter weekend of this year because Number one: It was our 5 year anniversary and Number two: My favorite band Nickelback was playing there that weekend. The funny part to our story is that, Matt and I had been discussing marriage for a few months prior and finally agreed that I would change my saying from "one of these days" to "one of these years" (we both had finally come to terms and acknowledge that money was too much of a factor and we just wouldn't be able to afford a wedding anytime soon.) Also, the day before Matt had asked my father for permission, I had been speaking with him about our upcoming trip and my father jokingly said "so you're going to get married this weekend". My father's intuition was correct because low and behold, Matt asked me to marry him on Easter!

That morning, I awoke to find Easter eggs scattered all around our hotel room. I looked at Matt and said, "What's all this?". He replied, "The Easter Bunny must have come to visit!" Matt explained to me that there were 12 eggs scattered around the room, so I began my search... After ten minutes or so, I had only found 11. I looked at Matt and declared "you must have miscounted, because I was only able to find 11." He reassured me that there were twelve so, I kept searching throughout the day but still unable to find that 12th egg.

I'd say around 4pm, Matt and I decided to take a walk down by the ocean and then head to an early dinner. As Matt and I were walking, he kept stopping and was really mumbling his words. I really wasn't sure what was going on with him. I kept saying to Matt, "Hurry up! I have short legs and I'm still beating you! What's wrong??" Finally, Matt grabbed me by my hand, reached into his pocket and fell onto bended knee. What was in his pocket you ask? The 12th egg! It was also my favorite color, purple. Matt kind of mumbled and stumbled over his words but finally got out, "Bridjet, you make me so happy and I can't imagine the rest of my life without you. Will you marry me?!?" And of course, this girl said "Yes, you silly boy!" There were a few random bystanders that cheered for us and I began to blush and buried my face into his chest. We looked out at the ocean for a moment and hashed out a few plans then went on our merry way to our first dinner as an engaged couple.

Matt and I will be paying for this wedding completely by ourselves so, this "Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too" Contest would mean sooooo much to us! I hope you enjoyed our story as much as we have enjoyed creating it.

Bride: Bridjet
Wedding Date: July 13, 2012

“Date Night”

My fiancé took me by complete surprise when he proposed to me. I had no clue that he was going to ask me. He had rented a room at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox, MA for one night. He told me that we were going there because he had gotten a really good deal through his former boss just so we could get away for a night.

His former boss, Mom, and my family had already been aware of this surprise. When we arrived to the resort, he pulled up to the front and told me he was going to run in and ask where we should park. So, I waited patiently in the car. He came out about 10 minutes later and we went to our parking spot. We took our bags and headed up to the room. As Mitch unlocked the door and opened it, it looked really dark inside. The lights were all out so I reached for the light switch. As he told me to not turn the lights on, I saw that there was a path of candles leading down the hallway. I still had no idea what was going on but started to feel nervous and excited at the same time.

As he walked me down the hallway through a path of lit candles and rose petals we get to the bed where I see a ring in the box in the middle surrounded by rose petals. As my heart raced and my eyes got big, Mitch knelt down on the floor with the ring in his hands and asked, “Will you marry me?. As I nervously said “yes” with tears in my eyes, I could feel the nervousness coming off of him. After he had proposed, we walked into the other room where there was a box of chocolates awaiting me. About a half hour later, we headed downstairs and ate an amazing candlelit 3-course dinner.

The funny part about this whole story is that he had is Mom go to the resort right before we got there so that she could light the candles. On our way there, I guess his mom had passed us going in the other direction, but thankfully I did not see her. We have been happily engaged now for about 8 months and are planning our wedding for February 11, 2012 at The Orchards Hotel.

Wedding Date: 2-11-2012
Bride: Amanda

"I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

I met my fiance on a dating web site. We had been friends for 3 years before we started dating and had been dating for less than a year before he proposed.

One day I was lying on the bed. He came up to me and started massaging my feet then he started massaging my hands. He says, “You know I want to marry you and be with you forever”. I said, “I do, too”. He said “OK” so I went to start cleaning the room and noticed my hand and that’s when he asked will I make him the happiest man alive, would I marry him. I thought it was a joke because it was a hearty band but he said that I’m unique and this is a real proposal. I started laughing and said “yes” because I didn’t know whether to cry or not.

Wedding Date: 10-12-2013
Bride: Shameeka

“Voila!”

I have the most romantic story ever!!! My birthday is the day before Valentine's Day and my extremely UNromantic boyfriend had preset the most incredible weekend. He rented a suite at the Four Chimneys Inn in Bennington..BEAUTIFUL!! When we got there, there was this giant gorgeous room with champagne, roses, and chocolate covered strawberries. There was a high, four-post bed with fireplace, enormous spa tub with antique fixtures & also a stand up shower for two. The bathroom was so big, you could live in it.

It was a little later in the day so we went down to the bar in the lobby which was something out of a magazine with another large fireplace and such a cozy atmosphere. He said that we had dinner plans for the following night so tonight was up to me. We got dressed up really nice and went out on the town. Keep in mind that I had my second child in October just four months before and this was our first time away from him. I also have a beautiful daughter with Down syndrome who just turned 3 so needless to say, we don’t get out much.

Carmody's is one of my favorite places to go but we decided to try a place neither one of us has been. We went to Madison's across the street and I had the best Fetuccini Alfredo of my life (my favorite meal.)We stopped and grabbed a bottle of wine for the room and we relaxed in the jacuzzi tub for a good portion of the night. The next morning, we wanted to go for a hike. We ended up going snowshoeing (a first for both of us) for hours and hours. We stopped at a goat farm and played with the goats and llamas. We were stepping on each other's snowshoes and watching the other fall in the fresh snow. It was a wonderful day. By the time we got back, I had the world's largest blister that had already ripped open on my heel. It covered the whole thing!

We were not able to wait for dinner that evening so we stopped at Carmody's and had some appetizers and a couple drinks to warm us up. When we got back to the room, we cuddled up in the jacuzzi tub and Derek had made us reservations for the dining room at the Inn. We got all dressed up again and I could tell that Derek was not himself that something was wrong. He went to the car for something and was gone for a good 15 minutes. We went to the restaurant and ordered drinks while Derek explained what some of the things on the menu were. (I come from more hamburgs and hot dogs while Derek comes from crepes and caviar.)We ordered duck strudel for appetizers. I was not crazy for those but I ate them. I had ordered my first filet mignon and Derek ordered lamb that I was eager to try. The waitress came out with these beautiful antique serving platters and placed them in from of us and "VOILA" she lifted the lids and on my plate was a large diamond ring. I instantly started crying while Derek got on one knee and told me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I could barely understand him, I was crying so hard. Of course I said “yes”! When I stood up to hug him, the whole room started clapping and ladies were wiping their eyes with their napkins. The waitress brought us champagne on the house and we had such a wonderful night. All the wives were asking me to come and show them my ring and it was like I was a princess.

The next day we checked out, but Derek was not done. He had made another reservation for my birthday. I found out the hard way that I am allergic to medicated bandages. When I put one on my heel I became pretty ill. I insisted on continuing on with whatever it was. Well, he took me on a clydesdale drawn sleigh ride. We went all around this farm and stopped to roast marshmallows and have warm apple cider. He made sure that I stayed bundled up because I was nauseous from the bandage. We bought some things from the farm store and I could not have asked for a better weekend than the one that Derek asked me to marry him. The following day was Valentine's Day and I had made reservations for the two of us at Dakota Restaurant. In advance, I brought candy, candles, cards, gifts and put glitter all over the table we were sitting at as well as a bottle of champagne and Derek was completely surprised. We are getting married on September 22nd of 2012 and I cannot wait to be his wife.

Wedding Date: 9/22/2012
Bride: Shana

“Do you choose me?”

Jim and I met in Houston on June 30, 2007. We tried repeatedly to date but the timing was never right – we were never ready. We dated other people and we were “just friends” but we kept coming back together. I moved away from Houston to Pittsburgh in August 2010 and that distance brought stark clarity. By the time Jim came to visit over Thanksgiving, we knew how much it hurt to be apart. By Christmas, we knew we loved each other. I flew to Houston for New Year’s Eve and while singing karaoke at a friend’s house party, Jim asked me to be his girlfriend. We spent the evening telling people we were back together. Some chuckled at the announcement thinking they had heard this before. Jim’s sister though, pulled me outside and hugged me, telling me that Jim’s whole family knew how much he loved me. She knew this time was different.

Over the next few months, we talked about what it might be like if we were to get married, what our children might be like, what we might be like as a retired couple. We talked about engagement rings but we never actually looked at them. I figured we would wait to get engaged until we were living in the same city again. To facilitate that, I made sure to include Houston on the list of places I was applying for a job. On February 18, 2011, I had an interview in Houston. I flew down the night before and planned to stay for the weekend. Jim picked me up from the airport and on the way home, we passed a small jewelry store with bars on the windows in a bad neighborhood advertising rubies (the stone I had mentioned wanting for my ring). Jim joked that he could get a ring there. I laughed and disagreed saying I didn’t think that was such a good idea. Jim then changed his tone telling me that he would propose when and how he wanted but I needed not to push him. Not sure what to make of that, I let the subject drop.

Jim and I had planned to go on a picnic on Saturday. So on Friday evening, we packed a bag of essentials: wine, snacks, a blanket, and a deck of Uno cards. On Saturday morning, the day Jim planned to propose, I insisted on getting in my long run for the week. Patiently he accompanied me to Memorial Park. He finished his own run and then sat for close to an hour on the tailgate of his truck, in the 85 degree sun, supporting me as I completed each lap around the park. Eventually we left, headed back to the apartment, and showered. After waiting for me all morning, he was less than ecstatic to see me sit down on the couch and turn on “Sweet Home Alabama.” Not a fan of Reese Witherspoon and acutely aware of the ring tucked in his pocket, Jim kept insisting that we shut the movie off and go on our picnic. Stubbornly, I resisted but I finally did shut the movie off and we headed to Discovery Green for the picnic.

With our spread of snacks around us, I proceeded to build a substantial lead in our game of Uno. Not one to win graciously, I was dancing around a bit, celebrating my anticipated win. Unsurprisingly, Jim grew bored with the game and lay down on the blanket. Still basking in my victory, I lay beside him. Jim asked "Jessica, do you really love me?" I responded playfully, "yes, I really love you." His tone shifted, and Jim asked, "Jessica, do you choose me?" I replied, more seriously this time, "yes, Jim, I choose you." Jim pulled out the perfect ruby engagement ring, and – erasing the last traces of joking and Uno and Reese Witherspoon as he spoke – he asked, "Jessica, will you marry me?"

As I do during many important moments – plus movies, arguments and the occasional cheesy commercial on television – I began to cry. Jim held me and kissed me while putting the ring on my finger. Somewhere in the middle I realized I needed to say my answer aloud, and I did, getting out nothing more than the word “yes.” Jim either did not hear my response or could not discern it amidst the crying and some time later asked me if I ever answered him. Months later, when feeling silly or sentimental, Jim will ask me if I meant it – do I still want to marry him? Even when I couldn’t get the words out through the tears, my answer has always been a resounding and emphatic “yes”.

Wedding Date: 5-26-2012
Bride: Jessica Grogan

“Light of My Life”

With our three year anniversary approaching fast, Brett and I had talked about the future many times. We had decided on a "5 year plan". This consisted of dating for a few years and then being engaged for a few years before we actually tied the knot. We shared our beliefs/ feelings on how we would raise our family, where we would live, where we would like to get married and even how he would propose. I realize that talking about the engagement probably wasn't traditional but hey, it came up in conversation. I always loved hearing love stories from older couples that had been together forever. I would always ask, "How did he propose?" and it melted my heart the smile that would come over her face before she told me the story. I dreamed about telling my children and grandchildren how Dad/Grandpa popped the question. Brett knew that I wanted a special story to tell for the rest of my life. It was Valentine’s Day 2010, and like Sunday, I was working my weekend job at a local diner. Brett had come to visit me that day which wasn't unusual but this time was different. I could tell that he was up to something but wasn’t exactly sure what. He left and I went on with my day. Before I knew it, it was quitting time. I got in my car and took the short drive home thinking the whole time that Brett must be up to something. I pulled into our drive way and started walking to our front door.

Normally, Brett would have greeted me at the door with a big smile and a hug but not today. I unlocked the door and started up our tiny starter house stairs and I notice the flicker of candlelight dancing on the walls. That’s odd, I thought to myself. I thought Brett might just be trying to be cute and lit a few candles. I turned the corner and I saw him. The man of my dreams was down on one knee, kneeling beside 125 lit tea lights. Yes, that’s right-125 lit candles spelling out " Will you marry me?"! I instantly start crying while putting down my belongings. This was beyond anything I thought was going to happen. Then all of a sudden here comes Jordan. Jordan is our spunky silky terrier who loved to greet me by running back and forth from one side of the house to the other. Before Brett even had a chance to say anything Jordan ran right through the middle tipping over the candles that had been lit for a little while. As I gasp and Jordan started yelping due to his poor paw being covered in hot wax, we both attended to the dog. We scooped him up and ran him to the bathroom to run cold water on his paw. The red and white wax started to mold to his paw but at least he wasn’t in pain. Once everything was under control, Brett looked at me and said..... "So is that a ‘yes’?". All my original emotions came rushing back and I shrieked with excitement a “yes!”. I can't wait for the day my daughter asks me how daddy proposed. I'll chuckle and say, with a smile on my face, " It’s a funny story...."

Wedding Date: 9-16-2012
Bride: Jenna

“The Countdown is On!

It was Christmas Eve, 2009. Mike was working a 12 hour shift until 7:00 that night. I was with my mom and sister running around and visiting family all day. I had planned to go over to Mike's house that night to exchange presents while his family was at church. My family's tradition every Christmas Eve is to open one present together and Mike and I had decided to exchange presents that night as well. I got home much later from my busy day than I had initially thought I would and I still had to bake a cheesecake and pie for Christmas dinner the next day.

Mike called me when he got out of work and I told him I wasn't sure if I was going to make it over. I didn't think it was that big of a deal since Mike and his entire family would be coming over for dinner the next day. Little did I know, he had a special surprise for me.

After putting both desserts in the oven with my mom's promise to take them out on time, I left to go to Mike's house. I ended up coming over when everybody was home and Mike's neighbors had just stopped by for a visit. I was excited to give Mike the movie I bought him because I knew he had really wanted it. I told Mike I really wanted to give him his present and he suggested we go upstairs in his room where it was quiet. I gave him his present and not-so-patiently waited for mine. After he was done opening his, he handed me mine. When I opened it, I saw it was a box that said "Wedding Time Countdown Clock". I thought to myself "Why in the world is he giving me this?" I thought he was teasing me because all along I had been teasing him about getting me something "sparkly" for Christmas. I stared at it for a few minutes, trying to figure out what was happening. After realizing that I had no clue what was going on, he took the box from my hands, laughed and threw it on the couch. Then he said "I thought it might come in handy for this" while he got down on one knee and opened a smaller box with a ring in it! It was the most perfect and sparkly ring I could have ever imagined! I couldn't believe what was happening! He asked me to marry him and of course, I said "YES!!" I couldn't stop smiling and laughing and asking if it was really happening! I felt like I was dreaming. It was amazing to have that moment, just Mike and I, together. After we hugged, laughed and got a bit teary together, we went downstairs to tell everyone. To my surprise, everyone already knew it was going to happen! This was completely unexpected and I was so surprised! That is definitely a moment in our lives that we will never, ever forget!

Wedding Date: 10-6-2012
Bride: Paula

“Take Your Coat Off and Stay a While”

Shawn had landed a job a General Dynamics in April of 2010. While I was finishing my Master's degree in Forensic Mental Health in the winter of 2010, I began my job search and landed a job with the Brien Center in December of 2010. We had been searching for the perfect apartment to move into together for the first time. We both had been commuting from New York to Massachusetts for work and were growing tired of the commute; he from Albany and myself from Averill Park both of which were almost an hour drive one-way. After looking for a few months, we had found an apartment in Lenox that suited our needs and taste. Our landlord had moved out a week earlier than we were supposed to move in, so we planned on spending the week cleaning and preparing for the move. Since we were moving from NY and had never lived together until now, we spent a lot of time planning and preparing for the move.

After listening to the news and weather report, we discovered there was a "blizzard" predicted for the day of our move; Friday April 1, 2011. We decided to push our move-in date one day earlier than originally planned. I managed to get out of work earlier than Shawn all week and would get a jump start on the cleaning in the apartment. That Wednesday was carpet cleaning day. My best friend who teaches at Reid Middle School brought her parents' carpet cleaner to our apartment to show me how to use it. After the lesson on carpet cleaning, she left me to finish cleaning the master bedroom carpet. Shawn arrived just as I finished the carpet (what perfect timing). He had brought me a coffee as I requested earlier in the day. We walked to the empty kitchen and traded stories about how our day went at work. After a few minutes, I realized he hadn't taken his coat off. I asked "why don't you take you coat off and stay awhile"?

I'm not clear on what happened next, the details become a bit blurry at this point. Soon after I told him to take his coat off, he grabbed my hands and dropped to one knee. He said something to the extent of "I've been wanting to do this for a while..." and I started to cry. There he was, proposing to me after 2.5 years in our new apartment. It's the moment I have been dreaming of since I was little and there I was, standing in disheveled clothes covered in dust and dirt with my hair in a 1980's side ponytail. None of that mattered at that moment because I said "yes" at some point. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives together.

Wedding Date: 5/26/2012
Bride: Sarah

“Lost in Love”

Pat and I had been in a long distance relationship since we graduated college in 2008. He is in the military and has been stationed all over the country. After he returned from his deployment to Iraq in July 2010, we both decided I would move from Pittsfield to El Paso, TX to be with him.

A few months had passed of us living together and we had finally adjusted to being in the same place together for more than one week at a time. Almost every weekend we would travel somewhere new and bring our puppy hiking and exploring. One weekend Pat suggested we go to White Sands National Park in New Mexico for the day to take the dog to run and play around. White Sands is a beautiful National Park in the middle of the desert where the entire park is pure white sand dunes for miles and miles. It is one of the most unique places I have ever been. Since the weather is much nicer in the South then it is in Massachusetts, it was a gorgeous November day to hike into the dunes and play with dog.

After a few hours, we found a gorgeous spot to sit and relax. I was fooling around taking pictures and digging in the sand with the dog when Pat told me he’d be right back. I watched him run about 1000 yards away and he wrote I love Jackie in the sand….it was so big you could see it almost anywhere. He ran back all sweaty and tired from working so hard and I thought he was just fooling around being cute. As he came back the sun had started to set. It was gorgeous! I turned to take a few more pictures. When I turned back around, Pat was down on one knee with the ring box open. He asked if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Of course I said “yes”! No one was around and it was an amazing moment which came as a total surprise. We celebrated with chocolate and champagne that he had brought. On our way back to the car, we were both so excited we actually got lost in the sand dunes and couldn’t find our car. It had gotten dark and after about an hour of searching (barefoot) with no car in sight, a nice family in a minivan pulled over and helped us find our car. It is not quite the way we pictured our day ending, but it made it all the more memorable!

Wedding Date: 8-11-2012
Bride: Jackie

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Diane, I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you put into these events. I attended the expo, and ballroom dancing, and will be coming for the hair show. I also won a cd, and 2 gift certificates at the dancing seminar. It was a fun and exciting time and I am so looking forward to the hair and spa show. Again thank you so much!!!

Meghan Randall, 2/8/2011